President Donald Trump is currently reviewing policy recommendations aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), following an executive order he signed in February 2025. This development coincides with heightened attention on reproductive healthcare after a recent bombing outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California.
The White House Domestic Policy Council compiled the IVF recommendations over a 90-day period, but specific details and a release timeline have not been disclosed. Trump’s executive order seeks to reduce the high costs associated with IVF treatments, which typically range from $12,000 to $25,000 per cycle and often require multiple attempts. While Trump has aligned himself with anti-abortion policies, he paradoxically called for universal IVF coverage during his campaign, though specifics on funding or implementation remain unclear.
The urgency surrounding IVF policy has intensified following a terrorist attack on the American Reproductive Centers in Palm Springs. On May 17, 2025, a car bomb exploded outside the clinic, causing significant damage but sparing the facility’s embryos. The FBI identified the deceased suspect as 25-year-old Guy Edward Bartkus, who died in the explosion. Authorities are treating the incident as a terrorist attack targeting the IVF clinic. Investigators found nihilistic writings attributed to Bartkus, suggesting extreme anti-natalist views—opposing procreation and asserting that bringing children into the world is morally wrong.
The attack has amplified debates over reproductive rights, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. This ruling led to new reproductive healthcare restrictions in several Republican-led states, with some lawmakers advocating for legal personhood for embryos. Critics argue that Trump’s support for IVF access is inconsistent with his broader reproductive policy track record.
While a majority of Americans supports IVF access, efforts to protect it face resistance from GOP lawmakers. Dr. Brian Levine, a fertility specialist, highlighted the growing optimism among fertility experts about potential federal support for IVF. However, the path forward remains uncertain as the Trump administration continues to review the proposed policy recommendations.
Sources
Dr. Kulsoom Baloch
Dr. Kulsoom Baloch is a dedicated donor coordinator at Egg Donors, leveraging her extensive background in medicine and public health. She holds an MBBS from Ziauddin University, Pakistan, and an MPH from Hofstra University, New York. With three years of clinical experience at prominent hospitals in Karachi, Pakistan, Dr. Baloch has honed her skills in patient care and medical research.
- Dr. Kulsoom Balochhttps://www.surrogacy4all.com/author/dr-kulsoom/
- Dr. Kulsoom Balochhttps://www.surrogacy4all.com/author/dr-kulsoom/
- Dr. Kulsoom Balochhttps://www.surrogacy4all.com/author/dr-kulsoom/
- Dr. Kulsoom Balochhttps://www.surrogacy4all.com/author/dr-kulsoom/
