Cotton says he's 'open to' Trump IVF-coverage proposal

Sen. Tom Cotton said he is in favor of former President Donald Trump’s proposal to have in vitro fertilization covered by the government or health insurance companies.

“All Republicans, to my knowledge, support IVF, in the Congress. And there's no state that prohibits or regulates IVF in a way that makes it inaccessible,” Mr. Cotton said Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “It is expensive for many couples. I understand that. So, it's something I'm open to, that most Republicans would be open to.”

The Arkansas Republican said the “fiscal impact, whether the taxpayer can afford to pay for this” would need to be evaluated.

“But, in principle, supporting couples who are trying to use IVF or other fertility treatments I don't think is something that's controversial at all,” he said.

In an NBC News interview last week, Mr. Trump said that if he were elected, his administration would protect IVF from state bans and would have the government or insurance companies cover the expenses.

"We are going to be, under the Trump administration, we are going to be paying for that treatment," Mr. Trump said before adding, "We're going to be mandating that the insurance company pay."

When host Kristen Welker pointed out to Mr. Cotton that he had voted against a Senate bill that was similar to Mr. Trump’s proposal, the Arkansas Republican dismissed that proposal as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s “ridiculous messaging bill” that was “slapped together.”

Ms. Welker asked where the money would come from for this proposal, and Mr. Cotton said they’d “have to evaluate any specific legislation” that comes up.

“Well, I certainly support couples having access to IVF, and it's not even a controversial issue in any of the 50 states,” he said.