Is Egg Freezing Under Threat? What the Election Means for Your Fertility Options

As the 2024 election approaches, reproductive rights have become one of the most pressing and widely discussed issues in the US. In fact, recent survey data found that 90% of American women are concerned about potential restrictions on fertility treatments. While much of the conversation has focused on abortion rights—especially with the overturning of Roe v. Wade—other areas of reproductive healthcare, including fertility treatments like egg freezing, could also be influenced by the election.

At Cofertility, we know our members care deeply about the future of reproductive health. As this election season unfolds, we’re closely monitoring how political shifts could impact egg freezing and other family-building options. While egg freezing itself may not be directly restricted, increased regulation on in vitro fertilization (IVF)—a vital next step after egg freezing—could influence access and affordability. In this article, we’ll walk you through what these changes could mean, so you can make the best choices to protect your options for the future.

Issues facing egg freezing and reproductive healthcare access

As the election nears, policies impacting reproductive healthcare access are top of mind for many of us, especially in states where abortion restrictions have already been passed or are under consideration. Fertility treatments, including egg freezing, could see indirect effects from these policies, as new legal rulings and proposed legislation raise questions around oversight, accessibility, and insurance coverage. Given these changes, it’s more important than ever for patients to stay informed and providers to remain adaptable to keep services like egg freezing accessible.

Understanding state-level impacts on egg freezing 

While egg freezing has not been specifically targeted by state legislatures, some worry that restrictive laws around abortion could spill over. In certain states, legislation such as personhood bills—like the recent Alabama Supreme Court decision granting human rights to fertilized eggs—could increase legal considerations for providers, potentially affecting service availability or affordability. In response, some fertility doctors and OBGYNs are moving their services to states with strong reproductive protections, leaving those in red states with decreased access to reproductive care. 

High costs and insurance gaps

Egg freezing comes with high costs and is rarely covered by insurance, leaving most patients to pay out of pocket. With cycles costing tens of thousands of dollars, many find the financial burden to be a barrier. Additionally, laws around insurance mandates for fertility benefits vary widely across states, with the vast majority of Americans having no insurance coverage for egg freezing.

While approaches like Cofertility’s egg-sharing model—where you can freeze your eggs for free when you donate half to intended parents who otherwise cannot conceive—are helping make egg freezing more accessible, discussions in the current election about healthcare access could result in policies that address critical cost barriers and potentially reshape insurance mandates for fertility preservation benefits.

Impact on LGBTQ+ individuals and family planning

Access to fertility treatment varies, and the LGBTQ+ community often faces extra hurdles, especially when insurance coverage is limited to heterosexual couples. These gaps make family-building even more challenging for LGBTQ+ families, adding financial and logistical stress. Additional restrictions on fertility treatments could widen these disparities, making it harder for many LGBTQ+ individuals and couples to grow their families.

This election season, inclusive policies that support equal access to fertility care are especially important. Policies that improve insurance coverage and access to family-building options for everyone—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or marital status—could help make fertility care more supportive and accessible to LGBTQ+ families.

Egg freezing access amid political changes

Despite the intense political focus on other areas of reproductive healthcare, egg freezing has largely remained out of the spotlight and unaffected by restrictive legislation. For those considering egg freezing, this can be reassuring. 

Unlike other treatments, egg freezing is less likely to face regulatory scrutiny, allowing services to continue uninterrupted even in states with stricter reproductive health policies. In fact, some states are even expanding insurance coverage for egg freezing, acknowledging its vital role in family planning and long-term reproductive health.

However, for those who choose to freeze their eggs with plans to use them for future family building, additional considerations come into play as IVF has been more directly impacted by political shifts. To safeguard your options, completing your care in a state with strong protections for reproductive healthcare can help ensure you have the support and access you need when the time comes.

What to watch for this election season

As you consider your own family planning journey, here are a few key areas to keep an eye on this election:

1. Healthcare policy and reproductive rights: Any shifts in reproductive rights, particularly those affecting fertilized eggs, could have downstream effects on IVF and egg freezing. Even when specific treatments aren’t directly targeted, related legislation could influence healthcare providers’ ability to offer certain services.
2. Insurance and cost coverage: Some candidates may focus on expanding insurance mandates for fertility treatments, aiming to ease the financial burden for those seeking these services. Understanding candidates’ positions on healthcare mandates can offer insight into future coverage possibilities.
3. State-by-state differences: With much of the control over reproductive health laws being managed at the state level, where you live can have a huge impact on your access to family planning services. Following the election, it may be helpful to monitor your state’s legislative landscape for changes.
4. Access for LGBTQ+ families: Policies addressing the definition of infertility and coverage criteria could affect who qualifies for fertility treatments. For LGBTQ+ individuals, this remains an important point of advocacy, as inclusive access to family planning is essential for equity in reproductive healthcare.

How Cofertility can support you 

Reproductive health rights are at risk in the United States. Whether it’s abortion, IVF, or even egg freezing–there are policymakers who do not believe women should be able to make decisions about their own body. 

If you’re considering egg freezing, it’s helpful to be aware of broader policy implications that could affect your options. At Cofertility, we’re committed to supporting you throughout your journey, offering resources to help you understand your choices and advocating for accessible, value-aligned family-building options.

To further support our members, we’ve taken proactive steps including partnering with storage facilities in states with strong reproductive protections. Additionally, our clinic-agnostic model allows us to expand our reach in states with more open reproductive access, ensuring flexible, secure options for everyone.

This election, as you weigh your options, we encourage you to consider policies that align with your values and goals and to vote with those priorities in mind. Your voice—and your vote—can help create a future where everyone has the opportunity to build the family they envision.