Judges are once again playing doctor, to the detriment of women trying to build families. As one of the millions of Texas women who have turned to IVF as a possible mechanism for family building when faced with infertility, I know firsthand how chilling and deeply heartbreaking millions find this decision. We’re moving farther and farther away from the standard practices of care for pregnant women in the United States. After the fall of Roe, many women were afraid of what the future of their healthcare would look like. Alabama's IVF decision makes it clear that hyperbole has turned into reality

IVF has been a beacon of hope for many families struggling with infertility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 12% of women aged 15-44 years in the United States have difficulty getting pregnant or carrying a pregnancy to term. For many of these women, IVF offers a viable path to parenthood.

Despite this, access to such treatments is not guaranteed and can be prohibitively expensive. The American Society for Reproductive Medicine reports that an average cycle of IVF treatment costs $12,400 - an amount that is out-of-reach for many Texans.

We must protect every family's right to build their family through whatever means necessary - including through assisted reproductive technologies like IVF. It's time we stand together and demand that our state safeguards this right.

Please sign this petition urging Texas lawmakers to not only maintain but improve access and affordability of IVF treatments across our great state.