Overview

• Officials say they will not require health insurers to cover IVF services, reversing the president’s campaign pledge to mandate insurance coverage or government funding.
• The Domestic Policy Council did not publish the IVF policy recommendations due in May, leaving no public plan to expand access or lower patients’ out-of-pocket costs.
• A senior administration official confirmed that declaring IVF an essential health benefit under the Affordable Care Act would need congressional legislation, placing mandates beyond executive reach.
• Instead of pursuing insurance mandates, the White House has explored holistic health and restorative reproductive medicine approaches to fertility with outside advisers.
• The retreat underscores Republican divisions over federal mandates for family-building benefits and raises questions about next steps as the 2026 midterm elections approach.