Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg surprised some political watchers by suggesting Democrats should embrace one of Donald Trump’s signature campaign promises — expanding insurance coverage for in vitro fertilization treatments, Fox News reported. 

Speaking on the "Pod Save America" podcast, Buttigieg said the idea of requiring insurance companies to cover IVF and other fertility services was not just sound policy but also a pro-family position worth supporting.

He argued that affordability and access to care should not be barriers for those who want to start families, regardless of whether the support comes through government programs or private healthcare mandates.

Buttigieg Urges Democrats To Consider Pledge

The discussion began when co-host Jon Favreau directly asked if Democrats should adopt Trump’s campaign promise to require insurance coverage for fertility treatments.

“I think it's good policy,” Buttigieg responded, adding that if leaders are serious about being pro-family, they need to ensure these services are accessible through one means or another.

He acknowledged that some on the political right have taken an unusual stance on the topic but warned against dismissing efforts to make it easier for families to have children.

Addressing Costs And Access To Care

Buttigieg stressed that if people are holding off on having children because of “artificial issues” like cost or access, policymakers should take action to remove those obstacles.

He framed the matter as a broader cultural issue, saying society should encourage more people to start families rather than create financial and logistical roadblocks.

Favreau then referenced a Washington Post report that criticized Trump for not fulfilling his IVF promise during his second term, highlighting a headline that claimed the White House had no plan to mandate such care despite the pledge.

White House Defends IVF Efforts

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson disputed the notion that the promise was abandoned, telling the Post that the administration’s work on the issue was ongoing.

“President Trump pledged to expand access to fertility treatments for Americans who are struggling to start families,” Jackson said in a statement, adding that no administration had been more committed to using its authority to deliver on that pledge.

In February, Trump signed an executive order aimed at lowering out-of-pocket costs for IVF and other fertility services, directing the Domestic Policy Council to find ways to make them more affordable.

Broader Political Critiques From Buttigieg

While praising the IVF proposal, Buttigieg also used the podcast and other recent appearances to critique his own party’s outreach strategies.

Since the 2024 election, he has argued that Democrats often rely too heavily on symbolic gestures rather than substantive engagement with voters.

At a February forum, he questioned whether the party’s diversity efforts were truly about protecting people from mistreatment or simply forcing them into ineffective and out-of-touch training sessions.

Linking Missteps To GOP Gains

Buttigieg even joked that such tone-deaf approaches to diversity can unintentionally create Trump Republicans, a quip that landed with a mix of humor and warning.

His comments suggest he sees value in borrowing good ideas from political opponents when they align with broader public interests, especially on family and economic issues.

For now, Buttigieg’s stance puts him in the unusual position of backing a Trump policy while challenging his own party to rethink how it connects with voters.