RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Protecting the Right to a Family Through IVF
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 345
OP 347
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2024.240312R1
VO 38
IS 2
A1 Bohler, Forrest
A1 O’Mahony, Daniel P.
A1 Adashi, Eli Y.
YR 2025
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/38/2/345.abstract
AB Since its introduction to the US in 1981, In vitro fertilization (IVF) has facilitated the birth of over 1.5 million Americans, largely evading political controversy. This avoidance of political controversy was upended after the judicial interpretation of Alabama’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act that deemed embryos “unborn children” in early 2024. This decision has sparked a national dialog on IVF, leading to significant legislative efforts at the national level such as the Right to IVF Act, which aims to establish and protect the right to fertility treatment, ensure insurance coverage, and expand access for veterans and marginalized communities. This article examines these legislative initiatives and their potential impacts on the future of IVF in the United States. In addition, it explores the crucial role of primary care clinicians (PCPs) in this evolving landscape, highlighting their importance in patient education, initial fertility assessments, and ongoing support throughout the IVF journey. As the first point of contact for many patients, PCPs are uniquely positioned to navigate the changing legal and ethical considerations surrounding IVF, making their understanding of these developments essential for comprehensive patient care.