Infertility affects millions of families, and the high cost of fertility treatment, including in‑vitro fertilization (IVF), has been a major barrier for countless people trying to grow their families. Recently, President Trump announced new federal initiatives aimed at reducing costs and broadening access to fertility care. This blog explains the plan, what it could mean for patients, and what remains to be clarified.

What the Plan Includes

The plan has two major components:

1. Lower drug costs – A deal with fertility drug manufacturer EMD Serono brings certain medications, like Gonal‑F, under “most‑favored nation” pricing, matching the lowest prices paid internationally.
2. Expanded insurance benefit options – New guidance will allow employers to offer stand-alone fertility benefit packages that cover IVF and related services, similar to dental or vision plans. This approach could make fertility coverage more accessible, especially for small- and medium-sized employers.

A news release by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) praised the meaningful action to increase IVF access. It notes that comprehensive, scientifically-sound fertility treatment—including IVF—is a key component of care.

What this could mean for patients

• Lower drug costs: Fertility medications often represent a significant portion of IVF expenses, so lower prices could ease financial burdens.
• More insurance coverage options: Stand-alone fertility packages may provide explicit coverage for IVF, helping patients whose current plans lack such benefits.
• Greater flexibility: Patients may have more choice in accessing treatment.
• Professional support: Endorsements from organizations like ACOG and RESOLVE signal strong support from the medical community.

What Remains Unclear

• Coverage is optional: Insurers and employers are not required to provide fertility coverage. It creates a pathway, but doesn’t require universal access.
• Full treatment costs: IVF involves many other expenses (monitoring, retrieval procedures, lab work, embryo transfer) that have not been explicitly addressed yet.
• Implementation timeline: How quickly employers adopt new benefit packages and how much patients will save remains uncertain.
• Equity of access: Even with new policy tools, there may still be disparities (by income, insurance type, and state laws) in who benefits. ACOG underscores the need for meaningful policies that reach all people desiring fertility care.

Why This Is a Positive Step

While not a complete solution, this initiative represents meaningful progress in addressing the high cost of fertility care. It signals that treatment of infertility—and support for building families—is being taken seriously at the policy level. For patients, that means more hope, more options, and potentially fewer financial obstacles to pursuing fertility treatment.

What Patients Can Do Now

• Check your current insurance for fertility coverage (medications, IVF, embryo cryopreservation).
• Ask your employer if they plan to offer the new stand-alone fertility benefit packages.
• Talk with your fertility clinic about how lower medication costs could impact your treatment plan.
• Stay informed of changes in your state and federal policies affecting fertility care since they are evolving.

Conclusion

Infertility is deeply personal and often overwhelming. President Trump’s new plan to lower drug costs and broaden fertility-benefit pathways may bring relief to many people working toward parenthood. While questions remain, this is a meaningful step toward making fertility care more accessible and equitable. Patients should work closely with their providers and insurers to understand how these changes may benefit them.

Resources:

• RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)

This information has been reviewed by Alexander M. Kotlyar, MD, FACOG, Director of Resident Education at Genesis Fertility