WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) voted in support of the Right to IVF Act, legislation aimed at protecting the right to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology (ART) services, as well as expanding insurance coverage for those struggling with infertility. The vote failed on the Senate floor, with only two Republicans voting to advance it.
“For decades, IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies, or ART, have helped people who otherwise couldn’t start families of their own,” said Senator Hirono. “While some on the right like to paint IVF as some sort of new or untested technology, that is not so. The first baby delivered via IVF was more than 45 years ago, and since then IVF has helped bring more than 10 million babies into this world.”
In her remarks, Senator Hirono emphasized the importance of Senate Democrats’ legislation amid rising attacks on IVF from Republicans across the country.
“The last thing people trying to conceive need to worry about is being criminalized by some of the states I mentioned like Alabama because of the whims of far-right jurists and politicians,” continued Senator Hirono. “That’s why this bill is so important. It would establish a nationwide right for patients to access IVF and other ART services, and a right for doctors to provide IVF treatment. And crucially, it would require and expand health insurance coverage of IVF because we know access without affordability is not true access.”
Senator Hirono also criticized Republican colleagues for voting against the legislation despite claiming to support IVF access.
“My Republican colleagues appear blinded by their obsession with power and control over women’s bodies that they’re unable to support even this common-sense bill—again indicating how out of touch Republicans are with the needs of particularly women in our country,” said Senator Hirono. “It is disappointing but not surprising.”
Earlier this year, the Supreme Court of Alabama invoked a ‘fetal personhood’ law ruling that frozen embryos have the same rights as children, effectively halting IVF treatment in the state. Following this ruling, Senator Hirono joined over 40 colleagues in introducing the Access to Family Building Act—also blocked by Republicans—that would establish a nationwide right for patients to access IVF and other ART services without prohibition or interference.
A transcript of Senator Hirono’s floor speech is available below:
“M. President, as we approach the two-year anniversary of the disastrous Dobbs decision, I am struck by the chaos it has sown across our country. Last week on this floor I was joined by several Democratic colleagues in speaking out against Republicans’ attacks on contraception. Despite claiming they support contraception rights nearly every Republican voted against a bill protecting access.
Today I rise in defense of another tool that has helped millions start or grow their families—IVF or in-vitro fertilization. For decades IVF and other assisted reproductive technologies have helped people who otherwise couldn’t start families. While some on the right paint IVF as new or untested technology that is not so; The first baby delivered via IVF was more than 45 years ago helping bring over 10 million babies into this world.
As a State Representative in Hawaii legislature during 1980s I led passage making Hawaii one first states requiring insurers cover IVF treatment back in 1987—years before iPhone email even before some colleagues were born thanks chaos created by Dobbs whole range reproductive rights are chopping block.
Look at Alabama where state Supreme Court invoked ‘fetal personhood’ law questioning legality halting treatment state chamber earlier year Republicans blocked attempt pass bill protecting impacts concerted attacks felt beyond red states Hawaii OBGYN reported increasing anxiety among fertility patients staff doctor saying even his patients seeing impact attacks reproductive rights complicated process best circumstances last thing people trying conceive need worry criminalized states mentioned whims far-right jurists politicians why important establishing nationwide right patients access ART services doctors provide crucially require expand health insurance coverage because access without affordability not true access
But my Republican colleagues appear blinded obsession power control over women’s bodies unable support common-sense bill again indicating how out touch Republicans are needs particularly women disappointing but not surprising continue show us just how out step American people today Democrats will vote protect right working ensure decisions about bodies lives futures free government interference Thank you”
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