Tester Votes to Safeguard IVF, Protect Montanans’ Freedom to Start or Grow Their Family

Senator is only member of Montana’s delegation to support the Right to IVF Act which would establish legal right to access in-vitro fertilization

Continuing his longstanding efforts to protect Montanans’ freedom and privacy to make their own personal health care decisions, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today voted for legislation that would safeguard Montana women’s access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and other assisted reproductive technology.

The Right to IVF Act would establish a legal right to access IVF and other assisted reproductive services, overriding any state effort to limit or ban such access and ensuring no Montanan is prevented from trying to start or grow their family. It also includes provisions from previous Tester-backed legislation that would help more veterans and servicemembers get the critical fertility services they need to start or grow their families.

“Being a father and a grandfather is one of the greatest joys in my life, and I believe every Montana woman and family should have the freedom to start or grow their own family,” said Tester. “That’s why I’m proud to have voted to safeguard Montanans, servicemembers, and veterans’ access to in-vitro fertilization and will continue to support women’s freedom to make their own health care decisions.”

Tester has led the fight to ensure that Montana women have access to safe and effective health care. In addition to co-sponsoring the Right to IVF Act, Tester is a co-sponsor of the Veteran Families Health Services Act which would protect and expand the fertility treatment and family-building services that are covered under veterans and servicemembers’ health care.

Last week, Tester voted for legislation that would protect Montanans’ right to access and provide contraception.

Earlier today, Tester issued a statement in response to the Supreme Court declining to restrict access to the medication Mifepristone. Tester signed onto bicameral amicus briefs calling on the Supreme Court to reject a decision that would restrict access to mifepristone.

Tester also joined a brief calling for the Court to affirm access to emergency stabilizing care for women in states with bans on reproductive care, which the Court is also expected to rule on in the coming weeks. Last year, Tester sent a letter to Walgreens and CVS’ executives pressing the companies to take immediate action to ensure that all women, including those in rural areas like Montana, have access to safe and effective health care. Tester’s letter came in response to Walgreens’ decision limiting the sale of mifepristone and misoprostol, even in states like Montana where the medications are legal. Tester’s pushback was successful – after sending his letter, CVS and Walgreens announced they planned to become certified and offer mifepristone and misoprostol in states like Montana where laws would allow pharmacies to dispense it.

Tester is a strong supporter of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would guarantee the right to privacy for women making personal healthcare decisions by codifying Roe v. Wade.