HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to visit Birmingham after IVF decision

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February 26, 2024

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra will visit Birmingham on Tuesday to speak to health care professionals and families affected by the Alabama Supreme Court’s recent ruling on IVF.

“The decision in Alabama will have heart-wrenching consequences for women & their families,” Becerra posted last week following the ruling. President Joe Biden also attempted to capitalize on the ruling’s media coverage, terming it “outrageous” in a statement.

Tomorrow, in the wake of the Alabama Supreme Court’s ruling on IVF, I’m traveling to Birmingham to hear directly from families & health care professionals impacted by the decision.

Real people, real women are the ones suffering from rulings like this one. https://t.co/3VGoczPLqR

— Secretary Xavier Becerra (@SecBecerra) February 26, 2024

State lawmakers are expected to take up the issue as policy this week, with leaders across both chambers of the Alabama Legislature expressing a focus on clarifying the law as they meet during the 2024 legislative session.

“House and Senate leadership are committed to protecting IVF in the state of Alabama,” Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said last week.

Even former President Donald Trump shared his concern over the potential impacts of the ruling, calling on Alabama lawmakers to ensure its availability and safety.

“Today, I am calling on the Alabama Legislature to act quickly to find an immediate solution to preserve the availability of IVF in Alabama. The Republican Party should always be on the side of the Miracle of Life- and the side of Mothers, Fathers, and their Beautiful Babies,” Trump said on Truth Social on Friday.

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP

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