Democrats Block Sen. Rick Scott’s IVF Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Senator Rick Scott spoke on the Senate floor requesting immediate passage of his bill, the Increasing Value for Families (IVF) with HSAs Act.Senate Democrats blocked its passage. This billwould help individuals and families better plan and pay for medical expenses, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), by decoupling Health Savings Accounts (HSA) from high-deductible health plans, and doubling the current contribution limits on HSAs from $4,300 to $8,600 for individuals and $8,550 to $17,100 for families. The IVF with HSAs Act is being led by Representative Kat Cammack in the House of Representatives.

Senator Rick Scott said, "I have been called many names, some nice and some not so nice over the years - Governor, Senator, husband, dad… but my favorite is grandpa to my seven beautiful grandkids. Right now, my daughter is using in vitro fertilization, or IVF, to grow her family. I support IVF 100%, and the truth about IVF is that it is one of the few unifying policies almost all Democrats and Republicans agree with. It's a wonderful thing that helps bring beautiful babies into the world and I'm fighting to make it more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans with my IVF with HSAs Act to expand access to IVF by doubling the contribution limits of Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, and expanding eligibility to utilize them by decoupling them from traditional high-deductible health plans. The real world impact of my bill is that millions of Americans will be able to save more money in tax free accounts to pay for medical expenses like IVF. If the Democrats and the Senate are serious about ensuring opportunities for families, we can start today by allowing this good bill to pass. Unfortunately, Democrats refused to do so today. I'll keep fighting to get it passed the Senate, then sent to the House where I'm confident it will pass and we can send it to the President's desk for signature."

See the full video of Senator Scott's request for passage of his legislation HERE or below, along with his remarks as prepared for delivery.

Mr./ Madam President, I have been called many names, some nice and some not so nice. Governor, Senator, husband, dad…but my favorite is grandpa.

When I first became Governor, back in 2010, Ann and I had no grandchildren. Fast-forward to today, and we are blessed with seven beautiful grandkids.

As I speak today, my daughter is using in vitro fertilization, or IVF, to grow her family.

As a grandpa, I am thrilled. And thanks to the people of Florida, I also have the opportunity as a U.S. Senator, to do what I can to make this amazing science that helps bring beautiful babies into the world more accessible and affordable for millions of Americans.

The truth about IVF is that it is one of the few unifying policies almost all Democrats and Republicans agree with.

Earlier this year, a ruling out of Alabama's Supreme Court concerned many of us, myself included.

Thankfully, the Republican-controlled Alabama legislature swiftly updated their laws to ensure IVF is protected for citizens of their state.

Right after the ruling, I introduced a resolution with my colleague in the House, Kat Cammack, which outlined the overwhelming support in Congress for IVF and the millions of families using it to grow their families.

We built on that resolution by then introducing the IVF with HSAs Act to expand access to IVF by doubling the contribution limits of Health Savings Accounts, or HSAs, and expanding eligibility to utilize them by decoupling them from traditional high-deductible health plans.

The real world impact of my bill is that millions of Americans will be able to save more money in tax free accounts to pay for medical expenses like IVF.

We should all be able to agree that it is a GOOD THING for more families to have an opportunity to grow. So many of us here are parents and grandparents. We should all be able to agree that more babies is wonderful. That's why I am here to ask for unanimous consent to pass my bill.

If the Senate is serious about ensuring opportunities for families, we can start today by allowing this good bill to get sent over to the House where I am confident it will pass and we can send it to the President's desk for signature.

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