Agudath Israel of America, a more than 100-year-old Orthodox nonprofit, applauded U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement on Oct. 16 that he had reached an agreement with EMD Serono, which the White House called “one of the world’s leading manufacturers of fertility medications.”
The agreement “will result in massive cost savings on fertility treatments,” the White House said. A fact sheet that it released touted savings on drugs up to 2,320%.
“The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimates women can save up to $2,200 per cycle of fertility drugs as a result of this deal on drugs that often cost over $5,000,” it said. “Fertility drugs represent almost 20% of the total cost of a fertility treatment cycle.”
“These measures include lowering the price of in vitro fertilization drugs, accelerating U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of IVF treatments, and issuing guidance from several federal agencies that will allow employers to offer standalone infertility and IVF coverage for their employees,” Agudah said.
“This announcement is one more step in the right direction that began with an executive order in February aimed at expanding access to IVF,” it added.
Agudah said it has been a “longtime advocate of policies that make IVF more accessible to couples who are struggling with infertility.”
“In our own community, countless couples, acting pursuant to competent rabbinic guidance, have used this method of infertility treatment and have been blessed by Hashem with wonderful children,” Agudah said.
It added that the new actions, which the president announced, will “help those who undergo the agony of infertility realize their dream of becoming parents.”
