In a renewed effort to alleviate the financial strain of starting a family through in vitro fertilization (IVF), New York Congressman Mike Lawler has pitched a bill that could offer substantial tax relief for those undergoing IVF treatments. The proposed legislation suggests tax credits up to $20,000 for individuals and $40,000 for couples, a move that could entirely cover the costs of a full IVF cycle for many. Financial barriers have long been a concern for prospective parents grappling with infertility, a condition that, according to the National Institutes of Health, affects up to 20% of all couples.
The price of hope in the shape of IVF treatment has often been steep, with some families shouldering the burden of five to six figures. For couples like Rena Fox, an OB/GYN nurse from Rockland County, their dreams of parenthood came at a high monetary and emotional cost. In a statement obtained by Westchester News12, Fox reveals the treatments necessary for her to conceive her child Zeke exacted tens of thousands of dollars. Despite the struggle, Fox commented on her journey, saying, “we just smile and laugh because we're fortunate to have him.”
The IVF Access and Affordability Act previously hit a wall in the House Ways and Means committee but has seen reinvigoration amidst bipartisan support and alignment with President Donald Trump's goal to expand IVF access. Dr. Maria Emerson, director of obstetrics and gynecology at Montefiore Nyack, shared her personal 13-year battle with infertility during a press conference, reinforcing the importance of full IVF access. “Family building is not a privilege that only a few should enjoy,” Emerson told the press according to a Westchester News12 interview.
Despite previously encountering opposition from some religious groups and discussions over means testing to prevent the wealthy from benefiting from the tax breaks, Lawler has expressed optimism. Lawler remarked to CBS News New York, "Legislating is not easy," but iterates the significance of the legislative process, "It is very much about making sure that people have access to a life-creating technology." In addition to tax credits, Lawler supports legislation that would mandate insurance coverage for IVF, building on Trump's efforts to reduce costs of associated fertility drugs.
