Atlantic Reproductive’s Response to Alabama Lawmakers Passing IVF Protections
[3/8/2024]
Atlantic Reproductive is pleased Alabama lawmakers voted to protect in vitro fertilization in light of the states’ recent Supreme Court ruling. Although this is a great step in the right direction, we still have a long way to go. We stand with our colleagues and all patients in AL as we show support for the legality and accessibility of IVF treatments to all those in need.
Atlantic Reproductive’s Response to Alabama Supreme Court Ruling
[2/23/2024]
Atlantic Reproductive believes that all those who want a family deserve access to safe and effective fertility care. Therefore, we condemn Alabama’s Supreme Court ruling.
Your care at Atlantic Reproductive is not changing due to this ruling. We will continue to follow best practices for IVF, and rest assured that we have in place multiple safety measures to protect patients and embryos.
Atlantic Reproductive stands with the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) in the belief that the choice to build a family is a fundamental human right and that the elected officials in Alabama must return access to safe and effective IVF care to the citizens of Alabama.
The recent case in Alabama is tragic in many ways:
- Patients’ embryos were destroyed by a person not affiliated with their fertility clinic.
- The Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling that embryos are legally protected as children limits access to safe and effective fertility treatment in Alabama.
- In response to the ruling, fertility clinics in Alabama have paused IVF
- For many burdened with infertility, IVF is their best chance of successful pregnancy.
- Many fertilized eggs do not have the internal quality to become children. Therefore, IVF includes fertilizing multiple eggs to transfer or freeze the resulting embryos in order to determine if the embryos have the potential to become a child.
See below for more information on:
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine’s (ASRM) Response
- RESOLVE’s Response to the Alabama Decision
How can you help?
Click here to contact your elected officials today:
ASRM Responds to Alabama Ruling
[2/23/2024: American Society for Reproductive Medicine]
The recent Alabama Supreme Court decision has most people asking, “what can we do?”
Protect IVF: Pass the Access to Family Building Act
The ASRM team is working around-the-clock to protect access to IVF, and, while we explore legislative and judicial options, we also urge you to contact your elected officials to cosponsor and demand that they pass the Access to Family Building Act (S.3612/ H.R.7056), which would protect IVF across the country.
Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and Patty Murray (D-WA) and Congresswoman Susan Wild (D-PA-7) introduced the Access to Family Building Act to ensure the right to build a family is upheld and remains protected, regardless of a person’s zip code.
The choice to build a family is a fundamental right for all Americans
This bill would:
- Establishes a statutory right for an individual to access ART services, such as IVF, and for a healthcare provider to provide ART services
- Establishes an individual’s statutory right regarding the use or disposition of their reproductive genetic materials, including gametes
- Allows the Department of Justice to pursue civil action against any state, government official, individual or entity that violates protections in this Act
- Creates a private right of action for individuals and healthcare providers in states that have limited access to ART
For more information:
Here are RESOLVE’s statements regarding the events unfolding in Alabama:
- On Monday, RESOLVE released our initial reaction regarding the Alabama Supreme Court Ruling.
- After Alabama clinics began to pause IVF treatments for patients, RESOLVE released this statement.
- And today, Friday, RESOLVE reacted to the breaking news that companies that provide safe transportation for frozen embryos were suspending service to and from Alabama.
And as of this morning: Legislation has been introduced in the Alabama state legislature to restore access to IVF. We are evaluating this legislation, consulting with our partners, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, and assessing its potential impact.
A recap of what we’re doing:
- Supporting Alabama Resources: Our support team mobilized support group hosts from around the country to bring support services to Alabama patients. You can see a full list of resources here.
- Media Engagement: We provided RESOLVE representatives, including staff, patient advocates, and physicians to the media, and they have responded to over 100 media inquiries worldwide since Sunday. You can read some of the coverage here.
- Social Media Presence: RESOLVE’s social media channels have been a consistent source of information. Your voices amplify our message of solidarity.
What can you do?
- Advocate to Congress: We urge our community to register for RESOLVE’s Virtual Federal Advocacy Day, in partnership with ASRM on May 14th, when we will meet with Members of Congress and talk about pro-family legislation, including the Access to Family Building Act, for all who struggle to build a family.
- Send a letter to Congress to ask your lawmakers to show their support by signing on as co-sponsors for the Access to Family Building Act that will keep IVF legal and available everywhere in the U.S.