NC Democrats call for lawmakers to protect access to IVF treatments

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) – In light of the recent court decision that impacted access to in vitro fertilization treatments in Alabama, Democrats in North Carolina on Thursday called on the state legislature and Congress to act to preserve access to those treatments.

The issue gained national attention when Alabama’s Supreme Court issued a ruling that found embryos created through IVF are considered children. That led some of the providers of IVF treatments in the state to stop services due to the potential impacts of the ruling.

The state legislature later stepped in to pass a law aimed at protecting access to IVF.

Hannah Johnson, of Princeton, said her journey to become a mother lasted seven years as she went through IVF treatments, had miscarriages and delivered stillborn twins. She said she and her husband had been given a 2 percent chance of ever conceiving naturally.

“In August of last year, I got to hold my miracle baby,” she said, of her son Ellis. “So, we are proof that God is the only sustainer of life, so thankful for modern-day medicine and what’s done for me and my family.”

She spoke on Thursday alongside other women who’ve undergone IVF treatments and become parents. They said the decision in Alabama concerned them greatly and want to see leaders in North Carolina take steps now to prevent a similar situation from occurring here.

U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC 2nd) said, “It is extremely concerning that if we do not take action soon, the devastating consequences of this decision will continue to ripple across the country.”

According to Pregnancy Justice, there are 11 states including Alabama that have fetal personhood language in state law. North Carolina is not one of them.

State House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said he doesn’t see a need for the legislature to address the issue during the upcoming session.

“I’m not aware of it being an issue here at all,” he said. “What’s the old saying? Don’t go dig up snakes to kill them. I don’t know why we would mess with it if it’s not a problem.”

He pointed to the law Republicans passed last year that restricts abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy with certain exceptions. Speaker Moore said the legislature will not address that issue any further during the session that begins this spring even if other Republicans introduce bills to further restrict abortion.

“We dealt with the life issue this year. I think we adopted a bill that made sense. I don’t see any other changes in this upcoming session,” he said.

Atty. Gen. Josh Stein, who is the Democratic nominee for governor this year, disagreed and said the decision in Alabama “caused chaos.”

A bill Republicans filed in the U.S. House of Representatives would establish rights beginning at the moment of fertilization. Five Republicans from North Carolina have co-sponsored the bill including: Dan Bishop, David Rouzer, Richard Hudson, Greg Murphy and Virginia Foxx.

Rep. Ross said even if the House passed the bill, it would not pass in the Democratic-controlled Senate.

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