Thus undoing the political damage a judge there inflected on the state and Republicans in general….
Alabama fertility clinics that paused in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments last month are gearing up to restart now that the state passed a law that protects patients and clinics from legal liability.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham, the state’s largest health system, said in a statement that the legislation provides “some protections” that will allow UAB to restart IVF treatments.
“While UAB is moving to promptly resume IVF treatments, we will continue to assess developments and advocate for protections for IVF patients and providers,” a spokeswoman said.
Alabama Fertility, which suspended IVF services Feb. 22, in a Facebook post said it is resuming transfers and IVF treatments this week.
“A solution — after 19 days of uncertainty and 14 days of missed opportunities for our patients,” the clinic wrote. “To our patients — you are our heroes. We wouldn’t be where we are without you standing up, telling your stories and letting the world know how important IVF treatments are for families in our state.”
The law was passed just three weeks after the state Supreme Court ruled that frozen embryos are children and clinics can be held liable for wrongful death if the embryos are destroyed. The measure gives criminal and civil immunity “for death or damage to an embryo” related to IVF and takes effect immediately.
Lawmakers in the GOP-controlled legislature were under pressure to move quickly. The unprecedented ruling alarmed medical professionals and reproductive health advocates, who said it would jeopardize IVF treatment in the state. Within days of the ruling, many clinics in the state paused IVF for fear of liability….