President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday directing the Domestic Policy Council to explore ways to make in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other fertility treatments more affordable for Americans, according to White House staff secretary Will Scharf.
In a statement, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the order will lead to policy recommendations to protect IVF access and reduce out-of-pocket and health plan costs.
However, neither Leavitt nor a White House fact sheet provided details on how the executive order would achieve these goals.
The administration plans to develop recommendations, including potential legislative proposals, to address the issue.
Access to fertility treatments was a hot-button issue during the 2024 presidential campaign, with Democrats warning that reproductive rights were at risk due to the conservative majority on the Supreme Court, shaped by Trump’s three judicial appointments.
During the campaign, Trump denied having any interest in restricting IVF access, countering Democratic claims.
Following the executive order, Leavitt took to X (formerly Twitter), stating:
“PROMISES MADE. PROMISES KEPT.”
Alongside the IVF-related order, Trump signed another executive order reinforcing executive authority, stating that only the president or attorney general can declare legal positions on behalf of the U.S. government.
Scharf described the measure as a move to “reestablish the long-standing norm” on executive legal authority.
The order comes amid growing tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary, with critics concerned that Trump may challenge or ignore court rulings.
Additionally, Trump signed a presidential memorandum imposing “radical transparency requirements” on federal agencies, aimed at exposing government waste, fraud, and abuse.
“This will further uncover waste, fraud, and abuse in order to save taxpayers’ dollars,” Scharf said.
With Trump pushing forward an aggressive agenda, the new executive actions signal his administration’s focus on executive power, regulatory reform, and cost-cutting measures.
