Former President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that his administration, if reelected, would allocate funds for in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Speaking in an interview with NBC News in Michigan, the Republican nominee expressed his longstanding support for IVF and highlighted the need for accessible and affordable fertility options.

Trump revealed his intention to back public funding for IVF and consider a mandate that would require insurance companies to cover the procedure. However, specific details regarding the implementation of this plan were not provided during his town hall in La Crosse, Wisconsin later that day.

The cost associated with IVF can often reach tens of thousands of dollars, making it financially challenging for many couples. Trump emphasized the importance of harnessing the benefits of IVF, stating, "We're doing this because we just think it's great. And we need great children, beautiful children in our country, we actually need them," during his interview with NBC News.

While some anti-abortion activists have expressed concerns about IVF due to the discarding of excess embryos, it is worth noting that most voters, including many Republicans, support access to the procedure. In Alabama, a Supreme Court decision earlier this year temporarily restricted access to IVF until state lawmakers intervened, prompting several high-profile Republicans to weigh in on the issue.

Trump's stance on reproductive rights has become a crucial aspect of the upcoming November election, with Democrats cautioning voters about potential restrictions under Republican governance. Trump, who has taken credit for the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade after appointing three conservative justices, recently stated on his social media platform, Truth Social, that he would be "great for women and their reproductive rights." However, this statement drew criticism from some abortion rights opponents, including his former vice president, Mike Pence.

In a recent CBS News interview, Trump also indicated that he would not utilize the 19th-century Comstock Act to restrict access to abortion pills. This position further attracted contention from activists on both sides of the abortion debate.

Responding to Trump's comments on IVF, the Harris-Walz campaign released a statement, asserting that "Because Trump overturned Roe v. Wade, IVF is already under attack, and women's freedoms have been ripped away in states across the country." The statement emphasized Vice President Kamala Harris as the candidate who trusts women and will protect their freedom to make healthcare decisions.

Senator JD Vance, Trump's running mate, addressed concerns about the practicality of IVF coverage in an interview with CNN. While he declined to outline specifics on how a potential mandate would work, Vance suggested that details would be worked out through the legislative process. Furthermore, he dismissed a hypothetical scenario where a state court bans IVF treatments as "ridiculous."

As the election draws nearer, Trump's promise to pursue IVF funding aims to present a softer stance on reproductive rights, countering concerns of a potential voter backlash. The issue of abortion is anticipated to remain a key point of contention, with competing visions of the future of reproductive healthcare at the forefront of voters' minds.