Health Care — Trump, the 'fertilization president,' announces new IVF action

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View Online Health Care Health Care PRESENTED BY COALITION TO STRENGTHEN AMERICA'S HEALTHCARE The Big Story  Trump advances IVF agenda with latest pricing deal  The White House on Thursday announced dual actions aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), including the latest deal with a drugmaker as part of President Trump's "Most Favored Nation" (MFN) drug pricing policy.  © AP Trump, who once vowed he'd be known as the "fertilization president,"  announced from the Oval Office that his administration was issuing guidance that would allow employers to offer IVF coverage as a benefit part of company insurance plans.   Administration officials said the updated guidance from the Department of Labor, the Treasury Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would make opting in for fertility benefits similar to opting in for dental or vision benefits as part of an employer's insurance plan.     The guidance does not require employers to offer a fertility benefit, and a senior administration official acknowledged it would take time for interested employers to implement. Many of the administration's health care initiatives – phasing out artificial food dyes, the MFN policy — have relied on voluntary participation.    Libby Horne, EMD Serono's U.S. vice president of fertility and HIV/endocrinology, announced that her company would be offering their infertility products at a steep discount.    "Through our partnership with the administration, we are proud to announce that Americans will have access to our leading IVF therapies for an 84 percent discount off list prices," said Horn.    IVF was thrust into the national spotlight during the 2024 presidential campaign when the Supreme Court of Alabama ruled that frozen embryos could be considered the same as children, inadvertently pausing IVF services in the state.   The Alabama Legislature ultimately had to pass a law to protect IVF providers. Trump on Thursday called the court's move a "bad ruling."    IVF has faced opposition from anti-abortion hardliners who take issue with the disposal or donation of unused frozen embryos. When asked about this sentiment, Trump said. "I think this is very pro-life. This is — you can't get more pro-life than this."  Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, I'm Joseph Choi— every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. A MESSAGE FROM COALITION TO STRENGTHEN AMERICA'S HEALTHCARE   Care that doesn't clock out – on rounds or on call. Tell Congress: Protect Access to 24/7 Care —because when the doors close, it is too late. Learn more. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Thune says he would not take advice from RFK Jr. 'if I were a woman' Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said if he was a woman he wouldn’t take medical advice from Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., citing recent claims the secretary made that President Trump endorsed. MSNOW’s senior Capitol Hill correspondent Ali Vitali asked Thune in a Thursday interview whether the GOP was becoming a “party of no dissent,” noting that lawmakers like …  Full Story Democratic governors form a public health alliance in rebuke of Trump administration A group of Democratic state governors has launched a new alliance aimed at coordinating their public health efforts. They’re framing it as a way to share data, messages about threats, emergency preparedness and public health policy — and as a rebuke to President Donald Trump’s administration, which they say isn’t doing its job in public health. "At a time when the federal government is telling the states, …  Full Story Obesity remains high in the US, but more states are showing progress, a new report finds For the first time in more than a decade, the number of states with rates of obesity of 35% or more has dropped, an encouraging sign that America’s epidemic of excess weight might be improving. But cuts to federal staff and programs that address chronic disease could endanger that progress, according to a new report released Thursday. Nineteen states had obesity rates of 35% or higher in 2024, down from 23 states the …  Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: Florida health experts are concerned with a possible measles outbreak (Central Florida Public News)  Mobile hospital warns of imminent breakdown with major insurer (AL.com)  Idaho kicks off Affordable Care Act open enrollment as premiums are set to rise nationwide (NBC News)  A MESSAGE FROM COALITION TO STRENGTHEN AMERICA'S HEALTHCARE   Care that doesn't clock out – on rounds or on call. More than 300 hospitals are now at risk of closure, threatening access to critical care. Learn more. What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Former NIH leaders lament 'constant chaos' at the agency, and caution it's not over (Stat)  It's a bird! It's a plane! It's a chemtrail? New conspiracy theory takes wing at Kennedy's HHS (KFF Health News)  Roche to sell flu pill for $50 to cash-paying US patients (Reuters)  What People Think  Opinions related to health submitted to The Hill: What our decades-long study says about what causes autism — and what doesn't The government shutdown is holding health care hostage    You're all caught up. See you tomorrow!  Check out The Hill's Health Care page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  400 N Capitol Street NW Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001 Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

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