Trump announces plans to make IVF cheaper: 'Many more beautiful American children'

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, October 16, revealed his plans to significantly reduce the cost of fertility treatments and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

As a presidential candidate last year, Trump vowed to make IVF free through either an insurance mandate or government subsidy. It would mean “many more beautiful American children,” he said while making the announcement during a White House press briefing. 

Trump unveils plan for 'fertility insurance' and lower drug prices

As part of the initiative, Donald Trump has introduced two more modest initial steps to encourage employers to offer new supplemental fertility coverage while lowering the cost of the drugs involved.

“Effective immediately, for the first time ever, we will make it legal for companies to offer supplemental insurance plans specifically for fertility — that’s never been done before,” the POTUS said in the Oval Office. “With what we signed, Americans will be able to opt in to specialized coverage, just as they get vision and dental insurance, they can get fertility insurance for the first time.”

He further asserted that his IVF initiatives would lead to “healthier pregnancies, healthier babies, and many more beautiful American children.”

The commander-in-chief announced that the drug maker EMD Serono will list its fertility drug Gonal-f on the forthcoming TrumpRx website with large discounts. This comes as he pressures pharmaceutical giants to lower prices for government programs and people without insurance to avoid high tariffs. 

“In addition, the FDA will be working with the company to expedite review and approval of another common fertility IVF drug, and currently it’s selling in Europe. It’s Pergoveris,” Trump mentioned. “As a result of these actions, the per-cycle cost of drugs used in IVF will fall by an estimated 73% for American consumers.”

Trump tasked administration with lowering IVF costs in February

Trump tasked his administration to come up with “policy recommendations to secure IVF access and significantly reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs for such treatments” in a February executive order aimed at promoting the fertility treatment.

“[I]t is the policy of my Administration to ensure reliable access to IVF treatment, including by easing unnecessary statutory or regulatory burdens to make IVF treatment drastically more affordable,” the order read.

Pharmaceutical company hails partnership with Trump

EMD Serono said in a statement that “voluntary agreement” with the Trump administration “meets the White House Executive Order on increasing access” to the company’s “approved IVF treatments and confirms America’s public policy leadership in helping families navigate a path to parenthood.”

“As a result of our collaboration with President Trump and his Administration, more families across the United States can now access and benefit from IVF innovation, and hopefully fulfill their dream of starting or expanding their family,” Danny Bar-Zohar, the CEO of healthcare for EMD Serono’s German-based parent company Merck KGaA, said.

“Gonal-f is the most prescribed follicle-stimulating hormone in the US, and our full portfolio of IVF therapies has supported over 6 million successful births worldwide,” he added.