Newsom Signs California Bill Expanding IVF Access

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Facts

  • Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed bill SB 729, which will require many health insurance providers to cover the costs of fertility diagnosis and treatment procedures, including in vitro fertilization (IVF).[1]
  • In a signing statement issued Sunday, Newsom called California 'a proud reproductive freedom state' and characterized his state as 'proud' to help Californians decide 'the family they want.'[1]
  • By changing the definition of infertility for insurance purposes to 'a person's inability to reproduce either as an individual or with their partner without medical intervention,' this bill also makes it easier for families in the LGBTQ+ community to receive coverage.[2]
  • This bill will take effect July 1, 2025, for plans issued, adjusted, or renewed after that date.[3]
  • IVF has become a prominent topic during the 2024 campaign season after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that destroying embryos was the equivalent of killing a child. Republicans in Congress have twice blocked a bill guaranteeing national access to IVF.[4]
  • On the campaign trail, Vice Pres. Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, has promised protections for reproductive rights. Over the summer, former Pres. Donald Trump, the Republican nominee, said he'd ensure that the federal government or insurance companies would cover IVF.[3]

Sources: [1]Governor of California, [2]Los Angeles Times, [3]USA Today and [4]Sacbee.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by BayAreaReporter.com. Republican attacks on IVF and other reproductive freedoms of families across the country left Newsom with no choice but to sign these crucial protections into law. Together with other LGBTQ+ protections previously made law by Newsom's signature, this bill will solidify California's place on the right side of history and as an example to be followed by other states.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by Breitbart. Considering there was no effort to ban IVF in the first place, Newsom signed this bill in the hopes he could create a false dichotomy between Democrats and Republicans on this issue while luring people to Harris' side. While many conservatives are rightly skeptical about the ethics of IVF, Trump — the GOP leader — has made it clear the party will do what it takes to provide access to the procedure.

Predictions