Senator Markey holding a picture of Kate Dineen whose child Edie was conceived after two rounds of IVF, and her family

Washington (September 17, 2024) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security, today joined the Senate Democratic Caucus on the steps of the Capitol at a press conference in support of the Right to IVF Act. The legislation, introduced by Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) would establish a nationwide right to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology, as well as lower the costs of IVF treatment for the millions of families who need it to have their children.

Senator Markey brought a picture of Kate Dineen whose child Edie is 7 months old. Kate and her husband, Alex, conceived Edie after two rounds of IVF. She was their only genetically viable embryo. Kate Dineen was Senator Markey’s guest to the State of the Union in 2023 after she was forced to travel across state lines for an abortion. 

“The Supreme Court’s disastrous Dobbs decision was just a preview of coming atrocities. Republicans don’t need to pass a national ban on abortion, birth control, or IVF to effectively achieve their goal of stripping Americans of their personal rights and freedoms – they're doing this to stoke division and confusion, and spread misinformation and fear,” said Senator Markey. “If they really cared about American families, they would support the Right to IVF Act and vote yes, overwhelmingly. With this vote, we put Republicans on the stand in front of the American people, making them testify to their cruelty.”

“I was fortunate to welcome my daughter through IVF--and everyone deserves access to the resources needed to build their own family on their own terms,” said Kate Dineen. “Senator Markey is a fierce champion for reproductive freedom, and I am so grateful for his tireless efforts to ensure equitable access to the full spectrum of reproductive healthcare.”

In February 2024, the Alabama State Supreme Court ruled that embryos created through IVF should be considered children, but it never affirmatively banned IVF. However, fearmongering from Republican lawmakers led to Alabama IVF providers shutting down operations, fearing criminal liability for providing their services. No Senate Republicans have cosponsored the Right to IVF Act, despite their claims that they support IVF.

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