PARAMUS – Reverberations from the recent Alabama Supreme Court ruling equating frozen embryos with people are not likely to stop anytime soon. Especially in a presidential election year.
The political fault lines generally put Republicans in the “pro-life” camp and associate Democrats with the “pro-choice” position.
Not so much this time.
Many Republicans have condemned the Alabama ruling and expressed support for in vitro fertilization.
Rep. Josh Gottheimer aims to test that.
The CD-5 congressman convened a presser Wednesday morning with local officials and doctors at the soon to be opened New Valley Hospital in Paramus.
Gottheimer said he will soon introduce what he calls the SAFE act – Security Access to Fertility Everywhere.
He said the bill would protect IVF patients and their providers, including the transportation of embryos.
Additionally, Gottheimer said he is also championing the House version of a bill in the Senate that would establish a statutory right to access assistive reproductive technologies, including IVF. That bill, which is sponsored by Wisconsin Democrat Tammy Duckworth, may be voted on today.
Two things to keep in mind.
By just about any measure, Democrats are on overly-safe political ground by backing IVF.
The political goal here is to force Republicans to take the same stand, which could upset at least a portion of their pro-life base.
As Gottheimer notes, the Senate bill and his planned bill give Republicans a great opportunity to back what many say they support – IVF treatment for those who need such an avenue to build a family/
Some may say that the brouhaha over the Alabama ruling is distinct from the battle over abortion rights, but politically speaking, both are intertwined.
Democrats, like Gottheimer did today, contend that the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 has prompted related court rulings and state laws aimed at curtailing rights of women.
As the congressman pointed out, a grandmother who was alive in 1973 had more rights regarding personal freedom than her daughter and granddaughter do today.
Mary J. Amoroso, a Bergen County Commissioner, called restricting IVF treatments in Alabama “crazy” and something out of science fiction.
It is worth noting that since the 2022 decision, Democrats have overperformed the polls in many races all over the country. Moreover, there have been seven state referendums on abortion rights and the pro-choice side has won all of them.
As for the bills on IVF coming up in Congress, Gottheimer said many Republicans have said they are unhappy with the Alabama ruling,
But will they back IVF protections?
“Trust and verify,” he said. “Let’s see if (they) actually believe in what they are saying ..”
Talk about a bipartisan reference.
The phrase, trust and verify, of course, dates back to Ronald Reagan and his view of negotiating arms control deals with the Soviets.
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Congressman Josh Gottheimer recently introduced legislation aimed at enhancing protections for patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. The bill, known as the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Patient Protection Act, seeks to address the challenges and uncertainties faced by individuals and couples seeking fertility treatments.
One of the key provisions of the bill is the establishment of a national registry for IVF clinics and fertility doctors. This registry would provide patients with important information about the success rates and safety records of different clinics and practitioners, allowing them to make more informed decisions about their care. Additionally, the bill would require clinics to report any adverse events or complications that occur during IVF procedures, helping to ensure transparency and accountability in the industry.
The legislation also includes measures to protect patients from deceptive practices and financial exploitation. For example, the bill would require clinics to provide clear and accurate information about the costs of IVF treatments upfront, so that patients are not blindsided by unexpected expenses. It would also prohibit clinics from making false or misleading claims about the success rates of their procedures, ensuring that patients have realistic expectations about their chances of conceiving.
In a statement announcing the bill, Congressman Gottheimer emphasized the importance of ensuring that patients undergoing IVF treatments are treated with respect and dignity. He noted that fertility treatments can be emotionally and financially draining, and that patients deserve to have access to accurate information and high-quality care.
The Assisted Reproductive Technology Patient Protection Act has already garnered support from a number of advocacy organizations, including Resolve: The National Infertility Association. The organization praised the bill for its focus on patient safety and transparency, and urged Congress to pass the legislation as soon as possible.
Overall, the proposed legislation represents an important step towards improving the quality of care for individuals and couples undergoing IVF treatments. By establishing clear standards for clinics and practitioners, providing patients with essential information about their options, and protecting them from deceptive practices, the bill aims to ensure that all patients have access to safe, effective, and ethical fertility treatments.
