IVF at a Crossroads: Innovation, Access, and the New Political Reality

Amy Divaraniya

Explore how shifting policies, emerging technologies, and healthcare inequities are shaping the future of IVF and fertility care in the U.S. Insights from industry leaders and a call for coordinated action.

Published:

May 29, 2025

Est. Read Time:

For years, access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been entangled in a broader cultural and political battle over reproductive rights. But in February, an unexpected development came from the Trump administration: an executive order aimed at expanding IVF access nationwide.

It caught many off guard.

In a political climate where reproductive autonomy has increasingly been under siege, the notion of a conservative administration championing fertility care felt paradoxical. But this shift signals something important—fertility care, once considered niche, is now undeniably mainstream. And that’s both a tremendous opportunity and a looming challenge.

At Oova, we’ve long known that women and families deserve better. We’ve built technology that brings hormone monitoring into the home, giving individuals real-time insight into their fertility with clinical-grade accuracy. Our mission has always been clear: put power back into the hands of those navigating fertility journeys. But the truth is, innovation alone won’t solve the access crisis. It’s going to take coordination across stakeholders—clinicians, payers, policymakers, and technologists—to build a future where fertility care is truly inclusive.

This is why we hosted a roundtable with some of the most influential voices in reproductive medicine, moderated by Dr. Stephen Klasko, and featuring leaders like Barbara Collura (RESOLVE), Dr. Kim Thornton (RMA of NY), Samantha DiMercurio (Marsh McLennan), and myself. The conversation was candid, urgent, and forward-looking.

Here’s what we know:

The U.S. fertility landscape is in flux.
Patients are turning to fertility tech with increasing hope—and skepticism.
Innovations are emerging faster than clinical evidence can validate them.
AI is being trained to help select embryos.
Genetic screening is raising ethical quandaries that policymakers haven’t even begun to address.
And yet, for millions of Americans, IVF remains financially out of reach.

Even with the Trump administration’s executive order, the devil will be in the details: Who qualifies? What procedures are covered? How will states respond? And crucially, will personhood bills that define embryos as people undermine this federal effort?

We explored these tensions during our roundtable. Dr. Thornton shared how legal ambiguity in some states is already chilling IVF practices, forcing clinicians to weigh medical judgment against potential criminal liability. Barbara Collura reminded us that advocacy must stay laser-focused—not just on protecting access, but on ensuring equity. Because the data is stark: Black women are twice as likely to experience infertility but far less likely to receive treatment.

Meanwhile, employers like those Samantha advises are rethinking benefits packages. Fertility care is no longer just a “perk” for tech companies—it’s a workforce retention strategy. The question isn’t if employers will offer fertility coverage, but how they’ll balance inclusivity, cost, and outcomes.

This is where innovation can drive meaningful change.

Imagine an IVF process where hormone testing, symptom tracking, and even parts of the treatment protocol happen from home. Where AI aids—not replaces—clinical judgment. Where personalized care pathways are informed by a woman’s real-time biology, not just standard protocols. At Oova, we’re not dreaming about this future. We’re building it.

But we can’t do it alone.

We need thoughtful regulation that welcomes innovation while protecting patients. We need insurers and employers to stop viewing fertility as elective. And we need a public dialogue that doesn’t pit fertility care against other reproductive rights, but sees both as part of a spectrum of healthcare that supports autonomy, dignity, and choice.

By 2030, IVF will not be confined to specialty clinics. It will be more accessible, more data-driven, and more personalized.

But that future will only come if we work together—across party lines, across industries, and across lived experiences.

The Trump administration’s executive order could be a turning point. It could also be a distraction. What matters now is not who issued it, but what we do with the momentum.

We owe it to every individual dreaming of building a family to get this right.

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About the author

Dr. Aparna (Amy) Divaraniya is the Founder and CEO of Oova. She has over 10 years experience working in data science and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences. In 2017, Amy pivoted to women's healthcare after facing her own fertility struggles. Amy started Oova to give women control over their fertility by making high-quality hormone testing more accessible.

Sources

About the Oova Blog:
‍Our content is developed with a commitment to high editorial standards and reliability. We prioritize referencing reputable sources and sharing where our insights come from. The Oova Blog is intended for informational purposes only and is never a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider before making any health decisions.

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