What does Trump's "Father of Fertility" claim really mean? How might his new IVF announcements impact real patients? And could policies disguised as "restorative" actually restrict reproductive freedom?
In this timely episode of Brave & Curious, Dr. Lora Shahine sits down with Jessie Losch, Director of Government Affairs at the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), to talk about the politics, promises, and pitfalls surrounding the latest White House statements on fertility care.
Jessie helps clarify what the October 16th announcement actually said — and what it didn't. Together, they explain Trump's partnership with pharmaceutical company EMD Serono, the creation of TrumpRx, and the proposed insurance coverage changes that claim to make IVF more affordable.
With so much misinformation swirling, Jessie explains how ASRM advocates for patients and providers in a rapidly shifting policy landscape, especially as fertility care becomes increasingly politicized in a post-Roe world.
Listeners will learn what's real and what's rhetoric in these "pro-IVF" promises, what the emerging term Restorative Reproductive Medicine (RRM) really means, and how it could threaten access to standard fertility treatments.
Dr. Shahine and Jesse discuss the nuance behind headlines, the importance of informed consent, and practical steps patients and clinicians can take to support advocacy efforts through ASRM and RESOLVE.
In this episode you'll hear:
- [2:12] Understanding ASRM's role in advocacy
- [6:15] An explanation of Trump's IVF announcement
- [12:13] What is TrumpRX? And what does it mean for patients?
- [19:55] The red flags in "root cause" language
- [26:28] The rise of restorative reproductive medicine (RRM)
- [38:05] Legislation to watch: the Restore Act and Moral Framing
- [47:11 How to stay informed and take action
Please note there is no funding or sponsorship for this episode. See links below for facts and updates as policies change.
Resources mentioned:
Dr. Shahine's Weekly Newsletter on Fertility News and Recommendations
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