VIDEO: Baldwin Calls on Senate to Safeguard IVF Access Nationwide After Alabama Supreme Court Ruling

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and her Senate colleagues announced they are bringing legislation to the Senate floor that would protect every American’s right to access in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology. Senator Baldwin discussed the urgent need to safeguard access to IVF nationwide following Alabama’s State Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos created during the IVF process are “children” under state law.

Video can be downloaded here.

During the press conference, Senator Baldwin highlighted the consequences of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that overturned Roe v. Wade that stripped reproductive health care freedom from millions of women.

Senator Baldwin joined Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Patty Murray (D-WA) in calling on their colleagues to pass their Access to Family Building Act, legislation to codify under federal law the right to access assisted reproductive technology services, including IVF.

Specifically, the Access to Family Building Act would:

• Establish a statutory right for an individual to access, without prohibition or unreasonable limitation or interference, assisted reproductive technology services, such as IVF, and for a healthcare provider to provide ART services;
• Establish an individual’s statutory right regarding the use or disposition of their reproductive genetic materials, including gametes;
• Allow the Department of Justice to pursue civil action against any state, government official, individual or entity that violates protections in the legislation; and
• Create a private right of action for individuals and healthcare providers in states that have limited access to ART.

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