For Tim Walz, the IVF Political Battles Are Personal
Sharing a specific, personal journey during his bid for the Presidency, Vice Presidential candidate and Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz, is turning heads for his open discussion concerning his own experience with in vitro fertilization (IVF). Walz is the running mate of Democratic presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris, and together they are pledging to protect abortion rights, IVF, and fertility treatment if they manage to secure victory come the November elections.
Walz’s Personal Investment
Walz and his wife, Gwen, had their children, Hope, 23-years-old, and Gus, 17-years-old, through a challenging IVF journey. By discussing his personal experience openly with voters, Walz is bridging the gap between impersonal politics and family values, at a time when the future of IVF procedures themselves are becoming uncertain.
Several exceptional cases have brought abortion and reproductive rights under intense scrutiny. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and Alabama ruled that frozen embryos have the same rights as children, protecting IVF providers became a pressing issue. A great deal of pushback resulted in protection laws for IVF being passed, enabling services to resume in Alabama.
The Emotional Toll of IVF
Publicly addressing his first IVF experience with Harris at a Philadelphia rally, Walz spoke on IVF being “personal” to him, as well as expressing the anxiety, pressure, and anticipation he experienced throughout treatments. After the birth of his daughter, Walz named her Hope, a name that would serve as a constant reminder of their shared struggle for parenthood. In his speeches, Walz hinges his personal journey on the freedoms he and Harris aim to protect regarding health care decisions.
Political Pressure for Walz
As the political landscape shifts, Walz finds himself in “the hot seat.” This situation allows him to champion IVF treatment and the unique struggles it presents, such as insurance coverage. These aspects of his personal and political stance have found favor not only within the voter base, but also within RESOLVE: The National Fertility Association, a nonprofit patient advocacy organization. The association hosted Walz at their annual “Advocacy Day” in 2017.
The Reaction of Voters and Supporters
Public responses to Walz’s openness about his and his wife’s successful IVF treatment have been positive. Brittany Stuart, a Virginia resident who conceived her child through IVF treatment in Alabama, recently shared admiration for Walz — not simply as a politician — but for his understanding of the difficulties involved in trying to have a child. Stuart plans to donate to the Harris-Walz ticket, marking her first overt political support following a career in news.
Though Walz’s honesty has garnered a wave of support, his critics feel that simply sympathizing with IVF struggles or advocating for them isn’t enough. Critics, like RESOLVE’s President Barbara Collura, argue that action needs to be paired with discussion to tangibly benefit those seeking IVF treatment.
Last Thoughts
In conclusion, Walz’s candidness about his personal IVF journey presents a humanizing perspective to his political campaign. This could potentially impact not just national politics, but also the many state elections and 13 gubernatorial races in 2024. His openness raises our awareness about the pressing issues of reproductive rights and fertility treatments, and it’s a reminder that these matters often intersect with personal, deeply emotional experiences.
