President Donald Trump’s executive order on In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) has brought attention to an important issue for many couples struggling with infertility. One local fertility clinic, Pozitivf in San Antonio, has shared their perspective on the potential effects of this executive order on fertility treatment accessibility.
Dr. Francisco “Pato” Arredondo, the chief medical officer at Pozitivf, explains that IVF, a technique developed in 1978, is the most effective method for couples to conceive when facing infertility. IVF involves fertilizing eggs with sperm in a lab and then transferring the resulting embryo into the woman’s uterus. While IVF has a high success rate, it is not a guaranteed solution and can be an emotionally and physically taxing journey for couples.
Dr. Arredondo emphasizes that IVF is an expensive process, with medications representing nearly 40% of the cost. He also highlights the lack of fertility specialists in the U.S. as a contributing factor. There are only about 50 new fertility specialists trained annually, which is insufficient for a country of 340 million people. This disparity creates a significant gap in access to fertility care, as there is roughly one fertility specialist for every 8 to 9 million people in the country.
Despite the challenges, Dr. Arredondo views the potential for lower IVF costs through an executive order as a positive step forward. However, he also points out that even if IVF were made more affordable, there would still be a shortage of fertility specialists to meet the growing demand. “Even if tomorrow, everybody will have coverage for IVF, the truth is that we don’t have all the human capital to satisfy that need,” said Dr. Arredondo.
At Pozitivf, Dr. Arredondo and his team work to reduce the cost of IVF while maintaining high success rates. He believes that if costs were lowered, more people would view IVF as a viable option, and it should not be reserved only for those who can afford it. IVF, he argues, is a crucial tool in helping couples have children and should be accessible to everyone. “Having a healthy child is a universal human right, so reproductive justice is one,” he stated.
Dr. Arredondo also notes the broader societal importance of fertility and population growth. With the U.S. fertility rate currently at 1.6—below the replacement rate of 2.1—he warns of the long-term challenges posed by a shrinking working-age population. “In order for the United States to remain the leader in the world, we need more people,” he said, pointing to the strain that an aging population could place on social programs like Social Security and retirement systems.
In conclusion, while Dr. Arredondo welcomes the potential for more affordable IVF through the executive order, he stresses the need for more fertility specialists and comprehensive support to meet the increasing demand for fertility treatments. IVF is a critical tool for couples wanting to grow their families, and its accessibility should not be limited by cost or the shortage of specialists.
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