Nevada Governor Rejects IVF Bill Amidst Controversy
Nevada’s Governor Joe Lombardo has vetoed a bill designed to safeguard access to in vitro fertilization (IVF), a decision that appears to align with anti-abortion groups. This move highlights the ongoing influence of these groups within the Republican Party, despite prior promises to support IVF access in response to a controversial Alabama Supreme Court ruling that temporarily banned the procedure.
Kate Sosland, a spokesperson for the Nevada Democratic Party, criticized Lombardo’s decision, stating, “After vetoing IVF protections for Nevadans, Joe Lombardo continues to cater to radical anti-abortion extremists and chip away at reproductive freedoms. His anti-choice beliefs are clear.”
The legislation, known as Senate Bill 217, aimed to establish a state right to reproductive treatments such as IVF and intrauterine insemination, while also mandating insurance coverage for these procedures, including through Medicaid. Despite passing in the Nevada Senate with support from both parties, the bill did not receive any Republican votes in the Assembly and was ultimately vetoed by Lombardo on June 12.
Just days before the veto, a coalition of anti-abortion organizations, including representatives from the Family Research Council and Moms for Liberty—both labeled as hate groups by the Southern Poverty Law Center—sent a letter to Lombardo urging him to reject the bill. Jesus Marquez, co-founder of the American Christian Caucus (ACC), also signed the letter. The ACC is known for advocating “conservative Christian values in Nevada” and has held events at the governor’s mansion in recent years.
During the legislative debate, Marquez shared a video on Instagram indicating he met with Lombardo to discuss opposition to certain bills. “After a good couple of days here in Carson City, now we’re heading back to Las Vegas,” Marquez said. “We had some great, great meetings and a couple of good events with the Governor, which was an awesome experience. Remember, the ACC is working to mobilize churches and to run or oppose bad bills, there are plenty of them.”
The ACC has also been involved in controversy due to previous social media posts, including a 2019 claim that COVID-19 was a “hoax” and a 2023 statement that “democracy is tyranny.”
Denise Lopez from Reproductive Freedom for All of Nevada commented on the veto, saying, “Gov. Lombardo had the opportunity to make Nevada the first state in the country to provide Medicaid coverage for comprehensive fertility care, including IVF treatment. Instead, he chose to cater to his MAGA extremist allies, and Nevadans will pay the price.”
As Lombardo seeks reelection in 2026, he has gained the endorsement of former President Donald Trump, who has previously voiced support for making IVF treatments covered by insurance. However, Trump has not acted on this promise since assuming office. Lombardo’s likely opponent in the upcoming election is Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, with the race currently deemed a “toss-up” by The Cook Political Report.
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