Two Clinics Resume Ivf Treatment In Alabama

Two clinics in Alabama say they are resuming in vitro fertilization procedures after the governor signed legislation that protects physicians who provide the treatment.

Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday evening signed legislation passed by the state’s GOP-controlled Legislature that gives physicians providing IVF “civil and criminal immunity for any death or damage to embryos,” weeks after the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children.

After the ruling, clinics administering IVF abruptly paused treatment in fear of criminal prosecution. Alabama’s largest hospital, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was the first to announce a halt in services the day after the decision. Two other clinics, the Alabama Fertility Specialists and the Center for Reproductive Medicine at Mobile Infirmary, followed suit the next day.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham announced its resumption of IVF procedures shortly after the bill was signed.

“UAB appreciates the Alabama Legislature and Governor Kay Ivey for swiftly passing and signing legislation that provides some protections and will therefore allow UAB to restart in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments,” said Warner Huh, the chair of obestrics and gynecology, in a statement. “While UAB is moving to promptly resume IVF treatments, we will continue to assess developments and advocate for protections for IVF patients and providers.”

Alabama Fertility Specialists also said in a statement on Facebook that it will resume IVF treatment this week, which will result in “more pregnancies and more babies in Alabama. Let’s get to work!”

“After 19 days of uncertainty and 14 days of missed opportunities for our patients. We are grateful to Senator Melson and Representative Collins for understanding the importance of immediate access to IVF and for finding a solution in a complex issue,” the statement said.

The Center for Reproductive Medicine at Mobile Infirmary said in a statement to local news outlet WKRG that it won't resume IVF treatment without further “legal clarification on the extent of immunity provided by the new Alabama law.”

“At this time, we believe the law falls short of addressing the fertilized eggs currently stored across the state and leaves challenges for physicians and fertility clinics trying to help deserving families have children of their own,” the statement reads.