Missoula Mayor, OBGYN, & Montana Family Call Out Sheehy for Refusing to Back IVF Protections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, March 25, 2024

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rehm@mtdems.org

As IVF is under threat and Senate Republicans block protections, Montanans slam Tim Sheehy for his refusal to support federal IVF protections 
 

Helena, MT – Today, Montanans called out Tim Sheehy for his refusal to support federal IVF protections on the heels of Senate Republicans blocking legislation and Sheehy’s own endorsers voicing support for the Alabama ruling that put IVF treatment in jeopardy.

Missoula Mayor Andrea Davis, Missoula OBGYN Dr. Leah Miller, and Kiersten and CeeJay, Montanans who started their family with IVF treatment, made it clear that Sheehy’s failure to support federal IVF protections has proven he will not protect Montana families’ reproductive freedoms. 
 

WATCH: Mayor Andrea Davis remarks

“Sheehy thinks Montanans aren’t paying attention to the attacks from Senate Republicans and anti-choice groups on IVF treatment – including his own endorsers. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, who endorsed Tim Sheehy, supported the Alabama decision that threw IVF treatment into jeopardy. They also opposed the legislation in the Senate that would protect IVF,” said Mayor Andrea Davis. “And where was Tim Sheehy? Right in lockstep with them, refusing to say that he would protect IVF for Montanans who are trying to start their family.”
 

WATCH: Dr. Leah Miller remarks

“This legal landscape is making it harder and more difficult for providers,” said Dr. Leah Miller. “This is illustrated with the confusion about IVF in Alabama. Jon Tester has been a reliable ally for health care providers in Montana. His election is so important. These health care workers are working so hard to support everyone in Montana and the nation – please vote for Jon Tester to keep politics out of the clinic.”
 

WATCH: Kiersten and CeeJay’s remarks

“Our family’s story is the story of thousands of Montana families. While no family’s journey with IVF is exactly the same, the physical and emotional toll, and financial burden are common elements,” said Kiersten and CeeJay. “IVF treatment is the reason we have the family that we have today. We would not have the greatest joys we have in our life if we didn’t have IVF. We cannot vote for Tim Sheehy and his refusal to see the bigger picture of how this affects thousands of Montana families like ours. On election day, we will not stand with him.”

In recent reporting from the Billings Gazette, Tim Sheehy refused to go on the record backing federal protections for fertility treatment and falsely claimed via spokesperson that “no one is talking about banning [IVF].” This statement is a lie – Sheehy’s own endorser, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA), has come out in support of blocking IVF treatment for American families.
 

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