Iris Rudder

From the first cries of a newborn to the laughter and joy children bring into our lives, there is nothing more beautiful than the gift of life. But for some, that gift doesn’t come easily.

Thousands of hopeful parents endure months or even years of doctor visits, medications, financial stress, and emotional pain to pursue their dream of creating life.

That’s why I was proud to champion The Fertility and Contraceptive Protection Act, which codified women’s rights to contraceptives and fertility treatments in Tennessee.

It ensures women have access to birth control, including emergency contraception, as well as fertility treatments like in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

These important treatments and medications are sometimes misunderstood, with misconceptions about emergency contraception and concerns about IVF that don’t align with how they are actually used.

In reality, IVF and other fertility treatments are safe, effective ways for people to build families when natural conception isn’t possible.

Most people know someone who has struggled with infertility or used fertility treatments to bring their child into the world. In 2023 alone, more than 95,000 U.S. babies were born via IVF, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine.

This isn’t just a national issue. Globally, one in six people experience infertility, affecting millions of families across all backgrounds.

But fertility care isn’t just about struggling to conceive. It’s also about preserving the chance to start a family later.

Individuals diagnosed with cancer often undergo fertility preservation, such as egg retrieval, sperm banking or embryo freezing, before starting chemotherapy or radiation. For many, it’s their only path to having biological children in the future.

This law ensures those options remain available and protected.

President Donald Trump also voiced strong support for IVF earlier this year, signing an executive order in February encouraging expanded access and pushing for policies to lower costs.

While some insurance companies offer coverage, many families still pay out-of-pocket. A single IVF cycle can cost $15,000 to $20,000 and that financial barrier can be devastating for couples trying to start a family.

Most Americans support fertility access as well. A survey by the Pew Research Center in 2024 found that 70 percent of Americans believe IVF access is a good thing, with only 8 percent opposed.

Similar findings from the AP/NORC and Kaiser Family Foundation show widespread, bipartisan support.

This law also codifies the right to contraceptives, ensuring women have the tools to plan their families on their own timeline.

That includes emergency contraception, often called the “morning after pill” or by brand names like Plan B. These medications help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

These medications contain a higher dose of levonorgestrel, the same hormone found in many birth control pills, to delay ovulation and prevent fertilization.

Simply put, Plan B and other “morning after” pills are not abortion drugs.

If fertilization has already occurred, there is no evidence they affect implantation or an ongoing pregnancy, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For survivors of rape and sexual assault, emergency contraception provides a layer of protection from their abuser that’s readily available over the counter at pharmacies and hospitals.

Before this law, Tennessee had no legal restrictions on access to birth control or emergency contraception, but we also had no clear, codified protections. This law changes that.

For me, this legislation has always been about life. It helps bring life into the world, allows families to plan responsibly through access to birth control and ensures survivors of assault can prevent pregnancy when they need it most.

Tennessee continues to rank among the most pro-life states in the nation and was the first Southern state to codify these rights.

My Republican colleagues and I remain committed to protecting life and building strong families.

I’m proud to stand with women and families who seek the opportunities this law provides.

Together, we must continue advancing policies that reflect the realities families face today by supporting life, empowering parents and safeguarding the medical options that make parenthood possible for so many.

Iris Rudder represents District 39 which includes Franklin and Marion Counties in the Tennessee House of Representatives.