The recent anti-IVF legislation in Alabama has stirred significant controversy and concern, prompting a rapid response from lawmakers, healthcare providers, and the public.
👀 How did we get here:
The Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are human beings and those who destroy them may be liable for wrongful death, leading to fears of legal liability for IVF clinics and patients. In response, IVF clinics and providers immediately halted treatments in Alabama, causing distress and uncertainty for patients undergoing fertility treatments.
⭐ Why this matters:
The court ruling and subsequent legislation have disrupted the lives of individuals seeking IVF treatments, forcing some to seek treatment out of state and raising concerns about increased costs and limited access to care. Furthermore, the legal ambiguity surrounding the status of embryos and potential criminal prosecution has created a climate of fear and uncertainty among patients and providers. Read this couple’s story Read More
👂 Someone listened:
In response to the concerns raised by the ruling, Governor Kay Ivey swiftly signed a bill into law aimed at protecting IVF treatment in the state. The legislation grants civil and criminal immunity to IVF service providers and recipients, allowing them to resume treatments without fear of legal repercussions. Dive deeper
📌 What’s at stake:
This decision affects not only the ability of hopeful parents to access fertility treatments, but the broader future of reproductive rights and healthcare access in our Post-Roe society. The legislation’s impact extends beyond Alabama, with concerns about its potential to set a precedent for restrictive reproductive policies in other states. Listen Here
⚖️ And then there’s Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas:
Thomas pledged that the court could and should soon come for contraception, marriage equality, and whatever else had been protected under the long line of substantive due process cases. Dobbs was never self-limiting to abortion —it was a save-the-date card for the religious right’s plan to come for the rest of our reproductive freedoms. Read More
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Breanna Glover recently graduated from Dartmouth college with a B.A. degree in Government, Human-Centered Design, and English. At the college, she was a member of the women’s cross country and track and field teams. Breanna is passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). At Dartmouth, she was a Social Impact Fellow, where she spent two years building a flexible DEI training program for Lebanon NH’s city government and school district. Breanna was also the founding DEI Chair for Dartmouth’s chapter of KKG. Over her gap year, Breanna worked for Senator Maggie Hassan’s (D-NH) press team.
