Health Care — Schumer to force GOP vote on IVF

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View Online Health Care Health Care The Big Story  Schumer to force GOP vote on IVF access The Senate majority leader announced plans Thursday to bring a Democratic IVF access bill back up for a vote after Republicans successfully blocked it earlier this year.  © iStock Congress sank two competing IVF access bills earlier this year: the Democrat-backed Right to IVF Act and the Republican-sponsored IVF Protection Act.  "The Senate will vote once again to take up the very same bill we voted on earlier this summer, establishing a nationwide right to IVF and making it easier for people to access this critical treatment," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said on the Senate floor. "Republicans can't claim to be profamily on one hand, only to block pro-family policies like federal protections for IVF and the child tax credit. But that's what they did this summer, and I hope we get a different outcome when we vote for a second time," he added.    Schumer's announcement comes just days after former President Trump declared in his debate with Vice President Harris that he has been "a leader on IVF."   Trump was critical of the Alabama Supreme Court ruling that put IVF on the national stage earlier this year and in August called for universal coverage of the treatments.   Schumer's move will likely face similar long odds a second time around but will put Republicans on record just weeks before the election.  IVF has been a political minefield for Republicans, as many have largely avoided a key question: If they believe life begins at conception, how should IVF clinics handle viable embryos that are not implanted?  In response to the Democratic attacks, staunchly anti-abortion Republican Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas) and Katie Britt (Ala.) tried to pass their own bill they said was aimed at protecting IVF.    The legislation would have barred states from receiving Medicaid funding if they implemented a ban on IVF. But it wouldn't stop a court from restricting the procedure and would have allowed states to pass laws restricting the disposal, storage and implantation of embryos.   That bill was blocked by Democrats. Welcome to The Hill's Health Care newsletter, we're Nathaniel Weixel, Joseph Choi and Alejandra O'Connell-Domenech — every week we follow the latest moves on how Washington impacts your health. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will be impacting the health care sector this week and beyond: Senators target false prescription medication marketing on social media with new bill Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday to confront the sale and misleading promotion of prescription drugs by telehealth firms and social media influencers. The Protecting Patients from Deceptive Drug Ads Online Act would impose civil penalties on social media influencers or health care providers who make false or misleading claims regarding prescription drugs. Under the …  Full Story House Democrats introduce resolution supporting emergency abortion care House Democrats on Thursday introduced a resolution to make it clear that a federal emergency care law must allow physicians to perform emergency abortions.  The resolution comes after the Supreme Court in June dismissed a case regarding Idaho's abortion ban without settling the underlying question on whether federal law allows physicians to perform abortions in medical emergencies.  The court ruled to …  Full Story North Dakota judge strikes down state's abortion ban A North Dakota judge struck down the state's near-total ban on abortions Thursday, ruling the law was unconstitutionally vague and infringed on women's medical freedom.   “The North Dakota Constitution guarantees each individual, including women, the fundamental right to make medical judgments affecting his or her bodily integrity, health, and autonomy, in consultation with a chosen health care provider free from government …  Full Story Senators to pursue contempt charges against Steward Health CEO A bipartisan group of senators will pursue contempt of Congress charges against Steward Health Care CEO Ralph de la Torre after he defied a subpoena and failed to attend a Senate hearing Thursday.   Full Story Around the Nation  Local and state headlines on health care: California faces 'profound increase for valley fever.' Here's how its connected to weather (San Francisco Chronicle)  Missouri bird flu case is a 'one off' and the public risk is still low, officials say (ABC News)  Montana hospital to pay $10.8M to settle false claims oncology suit (Medscape)  What We're Reading  Health news we've flagged from other outlets: Ozempic is selling so well an insurer wants $1 million in payments back (Bloomberg)  At Catholic hospitals, a mission of charity runs up against high care costs for patients (KFF Health News)  How a private-equity payday drained a hospital chain of cash (Wall Street Journal)  What Others are Reading  Most read stories on The Hill right now: Trump says he won't do another debate with Harris Former President Trump said Thursday he would not participate in another debate with Vice President Harris, squashing the potential for a second meeting … Read more Harris widens lead over Trump in postdebate poll Vice President Harris has widened her lead over former President Trump in a survey conducted after they clashed at their Tuesday debate. The Morning … Read more   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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