Some GOP governors back IVF access after Alabama court decision

In the wake of an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that ruled frozen embryos qualify as people, a number of Republican governors have espoused support for maintaining access to in vitro fertilization.

The Alabama decision, which only has effect in the state, saw the court determine that frozen embryos created through IVF enjoy the same legal rights as "unborn children." The University of Alabama at Birmingham health system has since paused IVF treatments. At least two other clinics have at least partially halted IVF treatments, CNN reported.

Speaking at the POLITICO governors summit on Thursday, several Republicans backed continued IVF access.

New Hampshire Gov. Sununu deemed the ruling "scary," adding that "[y]ou want to make sure those services are accessible."

"[G]enerally I am supportive of IVF," said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee.

"You have a lot of people out there in this country that they wouldn’t have children if it weren’t for that," Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt indicated he did not consider the destruction of embryos to be a crime, but insisted Alabama had the right to address the matter in its own way.

"They elect their officials, and they’re going to set up a system that’s different than we would in Oklahoma," he said.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.