Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump announced that if elected in November, he would mandate the government or insurance companies to cover the costs of IVF fertility treatments, a move aimed at appealing to women and suburban voters.
“Your government will pay for, or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for, all costs associated with IVF treatment for women,” Trump told supporters at a campaign event in Potterville, Michigan, on Thursday.
He also stated that his administration would advocate for new parents to be able to deduct “major newborn expenses” from their taxes.
“We want more babies,” Trump said.
Trump will face Democrat Kamala Harris in the November 5 election. A Reuters/Ipsos poll published on Thursday indicated that Vice President Harris is gaining support among women voters.
IVF has become a contentious issue in the election, particularly after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled in February that embryos are considered children, leading to legal uncertainties about embryo storage and use. This ruling has caused some IVF patients to consider relocating their frozen embryos out of the state.
Trump did not provide details on how his administration would fund the IVF treatments or implement changes to the tax code, nor did he specify whether he would seek congressional approval for his proposals.
