Social media exploded with former President Donald Trump’s recent announcement at a Michigan rally that he supports mandating insurance coverage for fertility treatment, including IVF (in vitro fertilization). That followed this year’s Republican platform stressing support for access to IVF for the first time.
This is especially consequential in light of the Alabama ruling in February that brought IVF into the spotlight, sparking an extensive public debate that continues today. (Just look at the comments on X in response to Trump’s IVF announcement).
Unfortunately, this debate has been riddled with misconceptions about what IVF is, and where people of strong faith stand on this issue.
Polling largely shows that people who identify as politically conservative overwhelmingly support IVF, and its inclusion in the GOP platform (despite objections) is living proof of Republican leadership listening to their constituents.
As a Rabbi and a man of faith, I have great concern that the goalposts from leaders in the evangelical faith community in a post-Roe vs. Wade America have shifted significantly in the past few months to include an anti-IVF position.
That’s why it’s important to clear up the misunderstandings that some have latched on to, clouding an issue that is delicate and important to so many families.
The most important point from my perspective is that IVF is inherently pro-life. I am one of 15 children and a father of 9 children, at 43 years old. Nobody will accuse me of being insufficiently pro-life. Indeed, central to Jewish belief is the sanctity and preservation of life, a principle that guides many of our teachings and ethics. This value not only emphasizes protecting existing life, but also encourages the creation of new life.
God’s first command to humanity – “be fruitful and multiply” – is not just a suggestion but a divine commandment. And while Judaism respects potential life, it also makes practical distinctions. For example, the saying “life begins at conception” must be understood in context.
An embryo created outside the womb through IVF is not yet conceived – it is a potential life that only becomes actual life when implanted in the womb. Without implantation, it remains in a state of potentiality and cannot develop into a living being.
IVF’s purpose is to create life, which is fundamentally different from abortion, where the intent is the exact opposite. This significant moral distinction should be celebrated in our faith communities. IVF helps those who struggle with natural conception, aligning with the imperative to bring new life into the world, making it a commendable practice.
Since Judaism views a fertilized embryo as potential life rather than actual life, the Bible’s commandments to procreate justifies proceeding with IVF. Here the main goal aligns directly with the commandment to “be fruitful and multiply.”
The aim of IVF is the birth of a living child. Restricting IVF limits the number of children born, contradicting the pro-life stance that values new life – a position shared by conservatives from all walks of life and religious backgrounds.
This perspective on an issue critical to so many families has inspired us to launch Americans for IVF – a coalition of people from all faiths and backgrounds aiming to educate and inform our elected officials in Congress about the benefits of IVF treatments for families wanting to grow, and about making this costly service financially attainable for more families.
That is why we also support the passage of the HOPE with Fertility Services Act (H.R. 8821). This bipartisan, Republican-led bill would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to require private insurance providers covering obstetric care to also cover fertility treatments, including drug therapies, less invasive fertility treatments, intrauterine insemination (IUI), and IVF. This bill accomplishes the exact same goal announced by President Trump.
These very same insurance companies have chosen on their own to cover treatments that prevent life, like abortion, or a woman who wants her tubes tied, or a man who wants a vasectomy. No law requires them to specifically cover those treatments, but they cover them nonetheless. It is simply wrong that they do not cover treatments that bring beautiful life into the world for people going through infertility, no differently than any other disease. This bill will stop this injustice.
Judaism’s deep reverence for life and its commandment to procreate provide a strong ethical foundation supporting IVF. This process aligns with the divine directive to be fruitful and multiply, fulfilling a sacred obligation.
My well-meaning friends in the pro-life community should consider that bringing new life to families that want children is a massive boon to our country. Conservatives would do well to embrace this life-giving treatment as a gift to Americans who long to experience the joy of parenthood.
