President Donald Trump announced Thursday a new effort to make IVF treatments more affordable for families across the country. Under a deal with EMD Serono, the American branch of a German-based pharmaceutical company, patients following a full IVF treatment plan, including Gonal-f, Ovidrel and Cetrotide, could see costs drop by as much as 84% compared with typical list prices.
This initiative continues Trump’s efforts to expand access to fertility treatments, a focus he highlighted during the 2024 campaign. He had promised to make IVF more affordable, including potential support from government or insurance programs.
IVF is a medical procedure that helps individuals and couples conceive when facing infertility. The Mayo Clinic explains that the process involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries and fertilizing them with sperm in a lab. Some people also choose IVF to reduce the risk of passing on genetic conditions to their children.
Gonal-f is a fertility medication that helps stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs, increasing the chances of a successful IVF cycle.
Part of a broader push to lower drug costs
The discounted medications will be available through the TrumpRx.gov platform, which is scheduled to launch in January 2026, and Medicaid patients will benefit from the company’s “most-favored nation” pricing, ensuring they pay no more than the lowest global price.
Along with the discounted medications, the administration is allowing companies to offer IVF coverage as an optional benefit within employee health plans. Adding fertility coverage will be as simple as signing up for vision or dental insurance, though participation is voluntary, and costs will depend on each employer’s plan.
This effort builds on a broader Trump administration push to reduce prescription drug costs, following earlier agreements with Pfizer and AstraZeneca to provide discounted medications through TrumpRx.
Executive order targets IVF affordability
In February, Trump signed an executive order aimed at increasing Americans’ access to IVF by reducing its financial burden. The order directed his administration to propose ways to lower out-of-pocket and insurance costs within 90 days, including easing regulatory barriers. According to the White House, IVF, which can cost between $12,000 and $25,000 per treatment cycle, is often out of reach for many families.
EMD Serono has also committed to investing $50 billion in U.S. manufacturing and research by 2030, including the construction of its largest global facility in Virginia. The company’s IVF products will be exempt from Section 232 tariffs if the company meets its U.S. manufacturing commitments.
Administration actions spark concerns
Despite initiatives to expand access to IVF, the administration’s actions have raised concerns. This month, over 1,300 CDC employees received layoff notices, including those in reproductive health, with many later rescinded due to errors.
Additionally, cuts to the HHS Family Planning Office have jeopardized the Title X program, which provides essential services to low-income individuals. Experts caution that these reductions may hinder progress in maternal and infant health, disproportionately affecting women of color.
