September 17, 2024

NM Senators disappointed as Republicans block bill to protect IVF access

Legislation that would have established a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technology failed in the Senate Tuesday. The Right to IVF Act was introduced by Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, who was also one of the bill’s original cosponsors. “Once again, Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would protect families’ […]

Nicole Maxwell

Legislation that would have established a nationwide right to in vitro fertilization and other assisted reproductive technology failed in the Senate Tuesday.

The Right to IVF Act was introduced by Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-New Mexico, who was also one of the bill’s original cosponsors.

“Once again, Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would protect families’ freedom to start and grow a family with IVF. Republicans are using their position of power to tell people when, how, and with whom to start their families. Shame on them,” Heinrich said in a press release following the vote. “Let me be clear: I will never stop fighting to safeguard New Mexicans’ freedom to access reproductive health care. I will use every tool at my disposal to reinstate the protections provided by Roe v. Wade, and combat extreme Republican laws aimed at stripping away access to IVF, contraception, and abortion care.”

The landmark 1973 Supreme Court case Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022 creating a health emergency with people coming from other states to seek abortion care in New Mexico.

Related: Guv: Las Cruces groundbreaking of new reproductive healthcare clinic ‘the beginning’This was the second time the Right to IVF Act was opposed by Senate Republicans.“Today, Senate Republicans blocked a bill that would protect in vitro fertilization (IVF). This action reflects the obsessive pursuit by Republicans to control and restrict women’s reproductive rights and the ability to plan a family. Women should not have to live in constant fear because their access to essential medical procedures is being compromised by politicians,” Sen. Ben Ray Luján, D-New Mexico,said in a press release. “All Americans deserve the ability to make choices about their family planning without political interference. Senate Republicans blocking this bill is a disappointing setback for those who hope to rely on these proven medical procedures to build their families and for those who seek to live in a world with access to the full range of reproductive health services without fear.”