JEFFERSON CITY, MO. – An Alabama court decision has caused widespread concern over the future of fertility treatments, which is why some Missouri lawmakers are working to protect access to in vitro fertilization.

Missouri law states that birth begins at conception. Although the state’s highest court has not clearly defined where IVF falls, bipartisan legislators want to get ahead of the game by making it a right to receive and perform in vitro fertilization procedures and services in the state.

“What I think is important about this decision is that folks understand that in Missouri we could be in the exact same situation as soon as the Supreme Court wanted to decide to do so,” House Minority Leader Crystal Quade, D-Springfield, said.

It’s now a conversation nationwide, causing concern over the future of fertility treatments.

“I have a daughter that needs fertility assistance and it means a lot to her. It means a lot to her to be able to start a family and I could only imagine how the families across Missouri must feel,” Rep. Bill Allen, R-Kansas City, said.

The IVF procedure involves removing eggs from ovaries and fertilizing them to create embryos, which are then frozen. Once an embryo is thawed, it’s placed in a woman’s uterus, where it might implant and create a pregnancy.

“This is a family issue, and this uncertainty is not good for any Missourians, and it’s just another reason why families are thinking twice about wanting to move to Missouri, live here or work here,” Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, said Thursday.

McCreery and Allen both filed legislation this week to safeguard access to IVF treatments. McCreery said she filed a Senate bill to prevent Republicans and judges from putting any bizarre restrictions on in vitro fertilization.

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“When you look at what’s not happening in the state Capitol, the chaos of what’s happening from the Republicans does not give Missouri families, Missouri women, security that the legislature is going to do anything that protects them as it relates to their decision to grow their family and use in vitro fertilization,” McCreery said.

Allen’s filing of House Bill 2845 was personal for him, as the fertility treatments are important to his family.

“Our women in Missouri are bipartisan,” Allen said. “This issue affects their lives; it affects their families and doing this is just the right thing to do no matter what your political innings are.”

According to the Alabama Supreme Court, frozen embryos are unborn children, causing many clinics in the state to pause IVF treatments.

Here in Missouri, some want to make sure it’s a right that is protected.

“We want Missouri families to know that if this bill were passed, they would have certainty when it relates to in vitro fertilization,” McCreery said.

While some Republicans agree with Allen that IVF procedures need protection, other GOP members are concerned about unused embryos.

“I think if you’re getting in vitro fertilization, it needs to be the embryos that are going to be implanted at that time,” Sen. Rick Brattin, R-Harrisonville, said. “I know it’s an expensive process but creating this huge inventory where life is being frozen, I don’t agree with.”

Currently, the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom campaign is collecting signatures to ask voters later this year if abortion rights should be enshrined in the state’s constitution. Supporters say this referendum would also extend constitutional protections to IVF.

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