Senate Republican blocks bill to protect IVF after Alabama ruling

On October 20, 2021, Senator Mike Lee (R-Utah) blocked a bill that would have provided federal protection for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The move came in response to a recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling that granted personhood to a pre-viability fetus, which could potentially criminalize IVF.

The blocked bill, titled the “Protecting IVF and Adoption Access Act,” was introduced by senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). It aimed to ensure that every person who hopes to become a parent has the right to access the necessary medical procedures and treatments, including IVF and adoption.

Senator Lee cited potential federal overreach and possible infringement on states’ rights as reasons for his objection. Despite his opposition, IVF procedures remain lawful in every state, but the Alabama ruling has created uncertainty within the fertility treatment community.