Schumer To Force Senate GOP Into Tough Vote On Trump IVF Pledge

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) intends to force Senate Republicans into a tricky vote on legislation mirroring Trump's campaign pledge to mandate insurance coverage of IVF treatments. The bill is likely to hit the Senate over the next two weeks, offering Democrats an opportunity for a messaging win on one of their electoral strengths.

• The vote could put senior Senate Republicans on the record against the plan, unveiled by Trump in late August, in a bid to reduce Harris’ advantage on Women’s reproductive rights.
• Trump told NBC News: "We are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment. We're going to be mandating that the insurance company pay."
• GOP leadership hopeful Senator John Thune (R-SD) said on Monday: "I'm sure it comes from good intentions. I have to think about whether or not that's something that you would want to mandate on insurance companies."
• Axios notes: Senate Republicans are likely to block the bill: “Back in June, Republicans blocked the same bill, which would establish a right to access IVF treatments and mandate that public and private insurance plans cover such treatments.”
• Politico reports that Trump’s move on IVF is angering two powerful blocs in the GOP: Small-government deficit hawks and religious conservatives who oppose the procedure as is commonly practiced.”
• CBS notes that, "either taxpayers or private insurers would be on the hook for an annual bill of nearly $8 billion under Trump’s plan."