Vance questioned the high cost of Trump's new IVF plan.

• Sen. JD Vance faced tough questioning about how former President Donald Trump would finance his proposed plan to have the government or private insurers cover in vitro fertilization expenses.
• Vance stated that insurers are mandated to provide coverage for a wide range of services under the policy, which could potentially be considered an extension of Obamacare.
• In light of the Supreme Court ruling that overturned federal abortion rights protected under Roe v. Wade, voters have become increasingly concerned about women's reproductive rights, and Trump's IVF embrace has sparked further debate on the issue.

During a grilling session on Friday, Republican presidential candidate Sen. JD Vance did not provide specific details on how former President Donald Trump would finance his proposed plan to make in vitro fertilization treatments covered by the government or private insurers.

Did John Berman, a CNN anchor, ask the Ohio senator if the proposed policy is an expansion of Obamacare or a mandate?

Vance replied, "I believe insurance companies are obligated to cover a variety of services."

The President stated that he wants insurers to cover additional fertility treatment, while also accusing Kamala Harris of contributing to high consumer costs.

During a campaign event in Michigan the previous day, Trump had revealed the IVF policy in general terms.

Today, I am making a significant announcement that under the Trump administration, the government will cover all costs associated with IVF treatment, either directly or through insurance companies being mandated to do so.

He later stated to NBC News that a future Trump administration will pay for the treatment and mandate insurance companies to do the same.

The majority of assisted reproductive procedures for infertility involve IVF, which can be costly, ranging from $15,000 to over $30,000 for a single cycle. On average, it takes 2.5 cycles to become pregnant, as per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

In 2022, nearly 390,000 IVF cycles were carried out at the 368 clinics affiliated with the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, representing a 6% increase from the previous year.

Under Trump's plan, the annual bill for IVF treatment would be nearly $8 billion, with either taxpayers or private insurers footing the nearly $20,000 per round cost.

If IVF treatments were covered by insurance, like routine check-ups and mammograms under the Affordable Care Act, there would likely be an increase in the number of patients seeking the treatment.

IVF, Trump and abortion

The former president's latest attempt to win over voters who are concerned about women's reproductive rights is his endorsement of IVF as a policy platform.

Women voters are leaning towards Harris over Trump in recent presidential race polls.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the lead reflects a broader shift in the electorate's views on federal abortion rights.

In Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the case, three conservative justices nominated by Trump were part of the majority bloc.

Since the Dobbs decision, 22 states have implemented stricter abortion laws, including total bans, beyond the previous standard under Roe, as reported by The New York Times.

Trump consistently claims responsibility for ending Roe, despite falsely stating that experts across the political spectrum agreed on the need for states to decide the abortion issue, rather than the federal government.

Trump has distanced himself from states that have strengthened abortion restrictions despite courting anti-abortion voters and advocacy groups during his third presidential run.

He has also opposed the proposals by some of his GOP allies, including Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, for a federal abortion ban. The Republican Party in July adopted a new Trump-backed platform that significantly softened its stance on abortion.

Trump's re-election could result in a nationwide abortion ban, as the Harris campaign has frequently cautioned.

In February, the Alabama Supreme Court ruling prompted fertility treatment providers in the state to halt their services due to the fear of legal repercussions.

Democrats swiftly linked the new development to Trump and Dobbs. Trump subsequently urged the state to find a solution that would "preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama."

In a CNN interview on Friday, Vance was questioned about how Trump's new federally mandated IVF funding plan would be implemented if a state prohibited the procedure.

Vance replied, "I believe it's an unrealistic scenario," stating that Alabama has actively safeguarded access to fertility treatments.

In March, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a law to safeguard IVF and resolve the court ruling's controversy. However, several IVF clinics in the state have shut down due to the controversy.

Florida firestorm

Vance was frequently asked about Trump's recent comments on a contentious ballot measure in Florida that would expand abortion rights up to the point of fetal viability, which is typically around the 24th week of pregnancy.

If Amendment 4 passes, it would override a bill signed into law by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, which prohibits most abortions in Florida after six weeks of pregnancy, a time when many women are unaware of their pregnancy.

Trump stated on Thursday to NBC's Dasha Burns that he will be voting for more than six weeks of access to legalized abortions.

Trump's answer drew fierce condemnation from high profile anti-abortion advocates.

"Supporting FL Amendment 4 is equivalent to backing China's unlimited abortion policy and Harris," stated Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of SBA Pro-Life America, in X.

She wrote that there would be no contrast between Trump and Harris if she tagged Trump's social media account.

Trump's campaign tried to clarify his stance on Amendment 4 after facing criticism from anti-abortion rights groups.

The campaign stated that President Trump has not yet disclosed his stance on the Florida ballot initiative, but he believes six weeks is insufficient.

On Friday, Vance told CNN that Trump's stance on abortion has remained consistent, but he clarified that Trump has not yet made a final decision on Amendment 4.