The biggest concern would be reduced access to care on a state-by-state level. Luckily, some states have state mandates under certain circumstances, and we’re hopeful that the incoming administration will not affect that in any substantial way. But the places that don't have those in place could be worse. 

Nationally, folks of color have, generally speaking, reduced access to services compared to other folks, and if there are any further restrictions placed on both access to fertility care or really, more specifically, some of these personhood bills that have come up around the country and could present themselves on a national level that might further reduce and restrict that access.

Fortunately, President-elect Trump’s stated view is pro-IVF, as is the Republican party platform. On the campaign trail, Trump proposed that the government pay for IVF. This proposal may sound appealing but would come with various tradeoffs, including an enormous taxpayer price tag. Senate Republicans do not have an appetite for this type of legislation, so the proposal is likely DOA for now. All things considered, minorities should not expect significant changes to IVF/fertility treatment policy at the federal level in the near term.

That said, following the Dobbs decision, states are legislating abortion policies, which may purposely or inadvertently have implications for fertility treatment. Policymakers and constituents need to remain vigilant and consider the implications of state abortion policy for IVF access.

No court or politician should ever dictate who can have children, when, how many, or under what circumstances. We know that Latinas/xs are less likely to access fertility treatments because they face unequal barriers to health care to begin with, and fertility care can be expensive…Often, the politicians and judges attacking access to sexual and reproductive health care are the same ones perpetuating attacks on immigrant communities. We expect that the rhetoric and attacks will continue, making it harder for our communities to make our own decisions about our bodies and our lives. 

What we have to do is we have to prepare to protect and fight and have some accountability. We already have had, as a fallout from Dobbs preventable maternal deaths–like from preventable abortion complications, because people did not seek care for a condition that was treatable because they already thought it was illegal. 

If they [the Trump administration] want to be the father of IVF or the provider, then who's going to hold them accountable? Who's going to be in DC saying, "Look, this is what you said. Where are the dollars that we need?" We need more people asking those kinds of questions, and not four years from now.

We have to take care of us. So join your local organizers, community action groups, local PTAs, or start your own group to bring Black and Brown folks and your local allies together. Our babies are not just raised by us, our entire village puts their love and energy into helping us raise our families too, so building up that village so that it is safe and full of Black elders and Brown cousins is planning for your future and your children's as well.

Faith is the cornerstone of the road to parenthood. When you are tracking your ovulation or doing the baby dance, you are doing so with the faith that your body can do what it was meant to do…This faith can be strengthened as you engage in self-care activities and take extra measures to be gentle with yourself but it can also feel like the events surrounding you are weakening that faith — you may even wonder if you still want to get pregnant in this political, reproductive, economical climate. I want to assure you that your fertility journey is still a worthwhile adventure.

Continue to rest in the fact that everything happens for a reason and that you never know — your little may just be the answer our world is waiting for!