Schumer revives IVF bill, but Republicans block it again

On Tuesday, a Democrat-backed bill on in vitro fertilization (IVF) was blocked by Republicans, as it had previously failed in the upper chamber.

The bill did not receive the required 60 votes in the procedural vote, with a final tally of 51 to 44.

On Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., revealed that he planned to schedule another vote on the measure in a letter to senators.

Schumer wrote that the Republican Party's presidential nominee has claimed to be a leader in fertilization and has expressed support for expanding access to IVF by requiring insurance companies to cover IVF treatment, which is a key provision included in the Right to IVF Act.

"We will give our Republican colleagues another opportunity to demonstrate their stance to the American public."

Schumer's decision to revive the bill on the Senate floor stems from Trump's pledge to mandate insurers to cover IVF, highlighting his backing of the treatment.

"Trump announced at a Michigan event last month that under his administration, the government will cover all costs associated with IVF treatment or insurance companies will be mandated to do so. "We want more babies," he said."

The IVF bill, introduced by Sen. Tammy Duckworth, requires group health plans and health insurance issuers to cover fertility treatment if they also provide coverage for obstetrical services.

Nearly all insurers include obstetrical coverage as a routine inclusion.

In June, the Senate Republicans voted down the measure during a key procedural vote, preventing it from advancing with the required 60 votes.

In the summer, Republican Sens. Ted Cruz of Texas and Katie Britt of Alabama introduced their own IVF bill, which aimed to prevent bans on the procedure while allowing for reasonable regulation. However, their measure was not voted on due to Cruz's unanimous consent request and Schumer's decision not to schedule a traditional vote on it.

Cruz and Britt, along with the entire Republican conference, issued a statement supporting IVF at the time.

On Tuesday, Cruz and Britt attempted to pass their bill through unanimous consent before the cloture vote, but their request was opposed.

In the summer, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., introduced a bill promoting IVF, which was bipartisan and sponsored by Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Fla. The bill aimed to separate Health Savings Accounts (HSA) from health insurance plans and increase contribution limits for families to cover IVF expenses.

On Monday night, the Florida senator attempted to advance his bill to a vote, but Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore, objected to the request for unanimous consent.

Scott stated that he wouldn't discuss private conversations with Trump regarding his IVF proposal when questioned by Planet Chronicle Digital prior to the vote, but he emphasized his support for IVF and awaited Schumer's actions.

He said he would examine the bill to determine if it requires insurers to cover the procedure.

John Thune, the Senate Minority Whip and a Republican running for Senate leader in November, stated that he had not discussed the IVF proposal with Trump, but some of his colleagues might have.

Schumer has announced a scheduled vote on an idea that's been discussed, but we'll only react to it if and when it happens, as decided by Schumer.

Thune acknowledged that mandating private insurance coverage for a procedure is not a traditionally conservative stance, stating, "I guess that's the conversation we're going to have to have."

Our nominee has publicly supported something, but insurance companies are subject to various mandates that increase rates, as explained.

"Every Republican supports IVF. I am unaware of any Republican who opposes it. However, the question of whether insurance should cover it is a separate matter that we must discuss."