Trump Announces Major New Initiative Aimed at Expanding Access to Family-Building Treatments

WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump has unveiled a sweeping new initiative designed to make fertility care more affordable for millions of American families struggling with infertility.

Speaking from the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump announced that his administration has reached a landmark agreement with EMD Serono, the U.S. division of the global pharmaceutical company Merck, to dramatically lower the cost of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) medications by up to 84 percent.

The move, described by administration officials as one of the most significant steps in decades to reduce the cost of reproductive health care, could reshape access to fertility treatments nationwide.

“We’ll dramatically slash the cost of IVF treatments and the most common fertility drugs for countless millions of Americans,” Trump said during a press conference. “This will make all fertility care far more affordable and accessible.”

A Focus on Family-Building and Affordability

Trump framed the new agreement as part of a broader strategy to help American families overcome barriers to parenthood. He said that under his directive, the federal government will issue new guidance encouraging employers to expand fertility benefits within their health coverage plans.

“The result will be healthier pregnancies, healthier babies, and many more beautiful American children,” he said.

The president noted that the initiative aligns with his long-standing emphasis on “supporting American families” and “promoting life and opportunity.”

https://twitter.com/WhiteHouse/status/1978949314618577148

A Growing Challenge: The Cost of Infertility Care

Infertility affects an estimated 10 million women across the United States, and the financial burden of treatment remains a key barrier. A single IVF cycle can cost an average of $25,000, and multiple rounds are often required for success.

According to data from the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, roughly 432,000 IVF cycles were performed in the U.S. in 2023, resulting in about 95,860 births — a success rate of roughly 20 percent.

For many couples, these expenses are out of reach, forcing some to delay or abandon the dream of having children.

Trump described the new pricing agreement as a “game-changer” that will significantly reduce those costs and broaden access.

“As a result of these actions, the per-cycle cost of drugs used in IVF will fall by an estimated 73 percent for American consumers,” the president explained. “And the numbers are going to actually be substantially higher as time goes by.”

Inside the New Agreement

Under the deal, EMD Serono will begin selling IVF medications directly to consumers at reduced prices through TrumpRx, a new federal website modeled on existing prescription discount platforms.

The program will initially focus on three of the most widely used IVF drugs:

• Gonal-f, which stimulates the ovaries to produce eggs during IVF cycles.

• Ovidrel, administered before egg retrieval to trigger ovulation.

• Cetrotide, which prevents premature egg release during the treatment process.

Currently, Gonal-f can cost $2,400 per dose in the United States — compared to about $300 in Europe. With the new agreement, patients will reportedly pay up to 84 percent less, according to Merck’s U.S. division.

The deal also paves the way for the FDA to fast-track approval of Pergoveris, a combination fertility medication already available in Europe that stimulates follicle growth and improves egg quality, both key components of successful IVF outcomes.

Officials Praise the Initiative

Several senior administration officials joined the president during the announcement, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Kennedy hailed the agreement as “a transformative step for millions of women and families who have been priced out of fertility care for too long.”

“This isn’t just a healthcare policy — it’s a family policy,” Kennedy said. “We’re ensuring that Americans who dream of starting or growing their families can finally afford the treatments they need.”

Dr. Makary added that the partnership between the Trump administration and EMD Serono reflects a “proactive, innovation-driven” approach to lowering drug costs.

“We’ve cut out the middle layers that often inflate prices and redirected savings to patients directly,” Makary said. “It’s a model that could be replicated in other areas of medicine.”

A Political and Cultural Undercurrent

Beyond its economic impact, the move carries significant political weight. Fertility and family-building have increasingly become central themes in national debates around healthcare, demographics, and values.

Supporters say the announcement represents a pro-family policy milestone, while critics question whether the new distribution system will rely too heavily on private pharmaceutical partnerships.

Still, public response has been largely positive across political lines, especially among fertility advocates and medical professionals who see the plan as a breakthrough for accessibility.

“This could fundamentally change the landscape of reproductive medicine in the U.S.,” said Dr. Allison Feigenbaum, a reproductive endocrinologist at Johns Hopkins. “If these price cuts hold, we could see a massive increase in access for lower- and middle-income families.”

Industry Reaction and Next Steps

A spokesperson for EMD Serono confirmed that the company intends to begin rolling out the new pricing model “as soon as regulatory approvals are finalized.”

“We are proud to partner with the administration to improve access to fertility care,” the statement read. “This is a step toward ensuring that all families who want to pursue IVF can do so without financial hardship.”

The TrumpRx platform is expected to launch later this year, offering transparent pricing, patient resources, and access to participating clinics.

According to internal estimates, the administration anticipates that the program could cut average fertility drug costs from $12,000 per cycle to under $3,000, potentially saving families billions of dollars annually.

Wider Implications for Women’s Health

Experts say that beyond affordability, the initiative may also influence broader conversations about women’s reproductive health, maternal care, and workplace support for fertility treatments.

If employer participation increases, as the administration hopes, millions of workers could soon have access to expanded fertility coverage through their jobs.

“We’re going to make sure employers play a role in this,” Trump said. “Companies that say they support families should back that up by helping their employees start families.”

A Defining Moment for Reproductive Policy

The initiative underscores Trump’s continued focus on lowering healthcare costs through negotiation and transparency — an approach that echoes his previous efforts to cap insulin prices and expand generic drug competition.

Political analysts note that the fertility policy, which appeals across partisan lines, could also strengthen Trump’s standing among women voters, particularly suburban mothers who have traditionally leaned Democratic.

“This is smart politics and smart policy,” said political strategist Rebecca Harris. “It’s a tangible quality-of-life issue that resonates emotionally and economically.”

Whether the new program will deliver the sweeping cost reductions promised remains to be seen, but for millions of families who have long viewed IVF as unattainable, the announcement offers a glimmer of hope.

As one patient advocacy group put it:

“For too long, infertility has been treated as a luxury. This plan sends a clear message that every family deserves a chance.”