Tina Smith: “I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Right to IVF Act. So here is something that is close to a…”

“I rise today to urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the Right to IVF Act. So here is something that is close to a miracle. People who have struggled and struggled to have children are able today, through the very best science and medicine, to conceive and to bring a child into the world. It is incredible; it is a blessing. In 2021, more than 86,000 babies born in America were conceived through IVF. And in my home State of Minnesota, I have heard from so many of my constituents who have struggled with infertility and who wouldn't have children but for IVF. So today, we have the opportunity to vote on a bill that protects us. Our bill is straightforward in its purpose. It would establish a clear and enforceable nationwide right for people to receive IVF, for doctors to provide IVF, and for health insurance to cover IVF. So if you live in a State where a Republican State legislature passes a law infringing on IVF, that would be stopped by our bill. If you get your health insurance through your employer, your health insurance would cover your care. If you are a servicemember or a veteran, as my colleague Senator Carper said, you are covered--same for Federal employees. And if you get your health insurance through Medicaid, which covers 40 percent of the births in this country, you are covered. So you may be asking: Who could disagree with this? It is a good question. And here is the reality.…”