Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said Sunday that he and most other Republicans would be “open” to supporting a plan proposed by former President Donald Trump that would have either the government or insurance companies pay for in vitro fertilization services.
“I’m open to what most Republicans would be open to,” Cotton said in an interview on NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” adding that he must first “evaluate the fiscal impact” and consider “whether the taxpayer can afford to pay for this, what the impact would be on insurance premiums.”
“Basically supporting couples trying to use IVF or other fertility treatments – I don’t think that’s controversial at all,” Cotton added.
His remarks came days after Trump told NBC News that if elected, his administration would “authorize the insurance company to pay” for fertility services such as IVF.
Pressed by Trump to clarify his plan in that interview, he said one option would be to force insurance companies to pay for fertility services “under the mandate, yes.”
Moderator Kristen Welker pressed Cotton on her support for Trump’s plan on Sunday, noting that earlier this year she voted against an IVF bill that would have required IVF coverage in federal health plans, the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. plans.
Cotton hit the bill, describing it as “[Senate Majority Leader] Chuck Schumer’s Ridiculous Messaging Bill,” adding that Schumer spent the past few months “cobbling together ridiculous bills that he believes will help his liberal incumbent senators face off in his election.”
IVF has become an increasingly political issue, with Democrats accusing Republicans of threatening fertility and access to reproductive care.
Earlier this year, fertility clinics across Alabama suspended their IVF treatments after the state Supreme Court ruled that embryos are human, sending fears among reproductive rights groups that abortion bans in Republican-controlled states could affect reproductive care in other states.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
