Read more about the article A Quiet Fix for a Deep Injustice: California Moves to Protect Pregnancy in All Its Forms
Fertility Lawyer / IFLG / Rich Vaughn Article / SB 257 / Surrogacy Law / Surrogacy Lawyer

A Quiet Fix for a Deep Injustice: California Moves to Protect Pregnancy in All Its Forms

California State Senate passed SB 257—the PARENT Act—with a unanimous vote. The bill aims to make pregnancy a qualifying event for special enrollment in health insurance plans, regardless of how the pregnancy was conceived. This includes situations like surrogacy or gestational carrying. The bill is intended to ensure that families formed through surrogacy are treated equally under California's health insurance laws.

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June 16, 2025
Read more about the article Happy Pride Month 2025
Fertility Lawyer / IFLG / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer

Happy Pride Month 2025

Pride is a celebration of love’s quiet defiance—and its enduring triumph. It’s a tribute to those who’ve made space for joy in a world that hasn’t always made space for them. At IFLG, we have the privilege of walking alongside LGBTQ+ individuals and couples who are building families not just with hope, but with intention, resilience, and grace.

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June 4, 2025
Read more about the article Federal Court Temporarily Blocks Executive Order Which Attempts To Restrict Automatic Citizenship To Babies Born on U.S. Soil
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Birthright Citizenship 2025 / Fertility Lawyer / IFLG / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer

Federal Court Temporarily Blocks Executive Order Which Attempts To Restrict Automatic Citizenship To Babies Born on U.S. Soil

U.S. District Court Judge John Coughenour blocked the implementation of the Executive Order, calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.”

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January 23, 2025
Read more about the article Trump Administration Executive Order re: Birthright Citizenship and what it means for Surrogacy
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Birthright Citizenship 2025 / Fertility Lawyer / IFLG / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer

Trump Administration Executive Order re: Birthright Citizenship and what it means for Surrogacy

Many IFLG clients and professional colleagues are confused and concerned about whether Mr. Trump, who’s second term started today, can eliminate or impact birthright citizenship in the U.S. and whether this will have any impact on the children born to intended parents coming to the U.S. for surrogacy.

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January 20, 2025
Read more about the article Rich Vaughn Featured in MIT Technology Review Article on Strange Limbo Facing Millions of IVF Embryos
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Lawyer / Frozen Embryos / IFLG / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer

Rich Vaughn Featured in MIT Technology Review Article on Strange Limbo Facing Millions of IVF Embryos

Frozen embryos are filling storage banks around the world. It's a struggle to know what to do with them. Learn more as IFLG's Founding Partner, Rich Vaughn, is featured in an MIT Technology Review article by Jessica Hamzelou.

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January 14, 2025
Read more about the article Implications of the 2024 US Election Results on ART
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Lawyer / IFLG / International Surrogacy / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer

Implications of the 2024 US Election Results on ART

There are consequences of the election results that are tangential and indirectly related to surrogacy and assisted reproduction. Notably for now, seven of the 10 state ballot measures enhancing or clarifying protections of abortion rights were successful.  

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November 15, 2024
Read more about the article Abortion Access, ART, and the US Elections
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Lawyer / IFLG / International Surrogacy / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer

Abortion Access, ART, and the US Elections

With the US Presidential Election only a couple of weeks away, those of us who work in the field of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) are paying very close attention to the polls. Among other extremely significant issues, abortion, ART, contraception, and what constitutes a family are all on the table.

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October 23, 2024
Read more about the article IFLG Applauds Governor Newsom for Expanding Access to IVF in California
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Cryopreservation / Fertility Lawyer / Frozen Embryos / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / IVF / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer / Texas Abortion Ban

IFLG Applauds Governor Newsom for Expanding Access to IVF in California

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed SB 729 into law requiring large group health care service plan contracts and disability insurance policies to provide coverage for the diagnosis and treatment of infertility and fertility service, including in vitro fertilization (IVF).

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September 30, 2024
Read more about the article Alabama High Court Ruling Deems Frozen Embryos Children, Threatens IVF and Sparks Backlash
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Cryopreservation / Fertility Lawyer / Frozen Embryos / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / IVF / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer / Texas Abortion Ban

Alabama High Court Ruling Deems Frozen Embryos Children, Threatens IVF and Sparks Backlash

Earlier this year, the Alabama Supreme Court ruled that all embryos are legally regarded as children, stating that Alabama’s Wrongful Death of a Minor Act applies to all unborn children, regardless of their location. By granting frozen embryos the same legal status as living children, the court's decision could dramatically alter how embryos created during assisted reproduction are managed, stored, and disposed of.

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September 27, 2024
Read more about the article Surrogacy Needs to be Regulated, Not Prohibited
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Lawyer / In Vitro Fertilization / IVF / Surrogacy Lawyer

Surrogacy Needs to be Regulated, Not Prohibited

The way to address potential concerns about surrogacy is not - as some say - prohibition or restriction, but in fact acceptance and robust regulation. Evidence shows that surrogacy is not inherently harmful and can - and almost always does - produce good outcomes for all involved.

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August 13, 2024
Read more about the article Women: The Unsung Pioneers in the Development of IVF
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Lawyer / Fertility Treatment / In Vitro Fertilization / IVF / Surrogacy Lawyer

Women: The Unsung Pioneers in the Development of IVF

While male scientists have traditionally received most of the credit for developing the field of assisted reproductive technology (ART), many women who pioneered vital components of the in vitro fertilization (IVF) process have remained in the background. Yet without their often-heroic efforts, the rapid technological advancement and vastly improved outcomes characteristic of modern fertility treatment would not have been possible.

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July 26, 2024
Read more about the article Bloomberg News Health & Law: <br>States’ IVF Coverage Gap for LGBTQ+ Intended Parents Featuring Rich Vaughn
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Lawyer / Intended Parents / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer

Bloomberg News Health & Law:
States’ IVF Coverage Gap for LGBTQ+ Intended Parents Featuring Rich Vaughn

State insurance laws and health plan policies on fertility coverage are under the microscope of lawmakers and fertility organizations seeking to eliminate what they see as discriminatory obstacles to health care for LGBTQ+ individuals.

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States’ IVF Coverage Gap for LGBTQ+ Intended Parents Featuring Rich Vaughn
June 5, 2024
Read more about the article The Importance of Telling Children They Were Donor-Conceived
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Donor-Conceived Individuals / Egg and Sperm Donors / Fertility Lawyer / Intended Parents / Rich Vaughn Article / sperm donation / Surrogacy Lawyer

The Importance of Telling Children They Were Donor-Conceived

With the ever-changing landscape of modern American family life and the growing number of children being born via sperm or egg donors, the pendulum of public opinion toward this topic, once shrouded in secrecy, has swung toward acceptance and honesty. In the more than 50 years since the inception of assisted reproductive technology (ART), society has slowly adopted a more open and honest approach to telling donor-conceived children about their origin story, as research now shows that they do better in society knowing their biological roots.

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April 11, 2024
Read more about the article IFLG Joins ASRM & Resolve Condemning Alabama Supreme Court Ruling Embryos As Children
Fertility Lawyer / IFLG / Reproductive Laws / Surrogacy Lawyer

IFLG Joins ASRM & Resolve Condemning Alabama Supreme Court Ruling Embryos As Children

International Fertility Law Group joins The American Society for Reproductive Medicine and RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association in condemning the ruling by the Supreme Court of Alabama in LePage v. Mobile Infirmary Clinic, classifying embryos as children.

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February 20, 2024
Read more about the article LGBTQ Couples Fight for Reproductive Healthcare Benefits
Fertility Lawyer / Fertility Treatment Benefits / IFLG / Insurance / Intended Parents / LGBTQ Community Reproductive Healthcare / LGBTQ Reproductive Healthcare / Reproductive Health Benefits / Reproductive Laws / Same Sex Parents / Surrogacy Lawyer

LGBTQ Couples Fight for Reproductive Healthcare Benefits

As a growing number of same-sex couples turn to assisted reproductive technology (ART) to create their families, many are disheartened to find disparities in reproductive healthcare benefits provided by employers and insurers compared to their heterosexual counterparts. In many cases, LGBTQ couples are being denied fertility benefits, because they don’t fit into an antiquated mold of traditional male and female gender roles.

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February 6, 2024
Read more about the article Texas Abortion Ban Risks Women’s Health and Stretches into the World of Assisted Reproduction
Abortion Law / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Lawyer / Frozen Embryos / IFLG / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer / Texas Abortion Ban / Trends in Reproductive Health

Texas Abortion Ban Risks Women’s Health and Stretches into the World of Assisted Reproduction

With its restrictive abortion law, the state of Texas has become an example of why bans on abortion are not only a detriment to women’s rights and health, but, as time passes and lawsuits are filed, it is also giving us insight into possible far-reaching consequences in the world of assisted reproduction.

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August 29, 2023
Read more about the article To Exist or Not to Exist – Posthumous Sperm Extraction and Reproduction
American Bar Association / ART in Popular Culture / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Lawyer / IFLG / Intended Parents / Posthumous Reproduction / Reproductive Laws / Surrogacy Lawyer

To Exist or Not to Exist – Posthumous Sperm Extraction and Reproduction

Posthumous reproduction, creating genetic offspring after the death of an intended parent, raises complex social, ethical and legal issues.

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July 25, 2023
Read more about the article California Poised to Pass a Bill Mandating IVF Insurance for Large-Group Health Plans
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Lawyer / Fertility Preservation / Fertility Services / Fertility Treatment / Fertility Treatment Benefits / IFLG / In Vitro Fertilization / Infertility / Insurance / IVF / LGBT News / Reproductive Health Benefits / Reproductive Laws / Surrogacy Lawyer

California Poised to Pass a Bill Mandating IVF Insurance for Large-Group Health Plans

If passed into law, SB 729 would redefine infertility and require health plans to cover assisted reproductive technologies including in vitro fertilization (IVF), sperm testing/deposits, cryopreservation, egg retrievals, and embryo transfers (as long as any such embryo transfers are single-embryo transfers as recommended by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)). This is the farthest any bill mandating fertility coverage equality has gotten in California to date.

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June 13, 2023
Read more about the article Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an Egg or Sperm Donor
Anonymous Sperm Donation / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Egg and Sperm Donors / Egg Donation Information / Fertility Lawyer / Intended Parents / sperm donation / Sperm Donation Information / Surrogacy Lawyer

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting an Egg or Sperm Donor

There are several key factors to consider when choosing an egg or sperm donor to build your family through assisted reproductive technology. As technology has evolved and family dynamics and demographics have changed, the use of egg and sperm donors has gained in popularity. Although current culture makes choosing a donor seem like an easy process, there are in fact several aspects to consider before proceeding.

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May 9, 2023
Read more about the article Disparities Persist in Fertility Treatment for Black Intended Parents
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Fertility Disparities in Black Women / Fertility Lawyer / In Vitro Fertilization / Infertility / Insurance / Intended Parents / IVF / Racial Disparities in ART / Reproductive Laws / Surrogacy Lawyer

Disparities Persist in Fertility Treatment for Black Intended Parents

Disparities continue for Black intended parents with the high cost of IVF, lack of insurance mandates and diversity in the medical community

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February 21, 2023
Read more about the article Disparities Remain for Black Women Living with Infertility
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Biological Time Clock / Fertility Disparities in Black Women / Fertility Lawyer / Fertility Treatment / IFLG / Infertility / Racial Disparities in ART / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer

Disparities Remain for Black Women Living with Infertility

Although Black History Month is a time to highlight and celebrate achievements in the Black community, it is also a time to acknowledge where we have come from, as Americans…

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February 7, 2023
Read more about the article Pandemic-Related Surge in IVF Portends More Unused Embryo Custody Disputes  
Coronavirus / Cryopreservation / Embryo Disposition Agreement / Family Law / Fertility Law / In Vitro Fertilization / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Lawyer

Pandemic-Related Surge in IVF Portends More Unused Embryo Custody Disputes  

The recent pandemic-related surge in in vitro fertilization will inevitably contribute to a growing number of legal disputes over the disposition of unused embryos. The best way to avoid what…

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April 13, 2021
Read more about the article COVID-19 Vaccination for Surrogates, Update for Intended Parents
Covid-19 Webinars / Foreign Surrogacy / IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Agreement / Surrogacy Latest News

COVID-19 Vaccination for Surrogates, Update for Intended Parents

Join Rich Vaughn of International Fertility Law Group, Dr. Said Daneshmand of the San Diego Fertility Center and  Darlene Pinkerton of A Perfect Match surrogacy agency for a discussion on…

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December 30, 2020
Read more about the article COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATE: for International Intended Parents
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Coronavirus / Covid-19 Videos / Foreign Surrogacy / IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Surrogacy Latest News / Videos

COVID-19 TRAVEL UPDATE: for International Intended Parents

San Diego Fertility Center's Richard Westoby talks to IFLG's Rich Vaughn about updates in the process of traveling into the US from Europe during the time of COVID-19 pandemic. Planning…

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November 18, 2020
Read more about the article Fertility 101 – Surrogacy & IVF
IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Agreement

Fertility 101 – Surrogacy & IVF

Fertility lawyer Rich Vaughn of International Fertility Law Group discusses the legal objectives and arrangements involved with establishing Parental Rights when utilizing assisted reproductive technology as an option towards the dream of becoming parents. Contact IFLG to learn about how we help parents via IVF establish Parental Rights.

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October 20, 2020
Read more about the article Barrett Confirmation Could Pose Threat to In Vitro Fertilization
2020 Election / Abortion Law / Assisted Reproductive Technology / Cryopreservation / Embryo Disposition Agreement / Fertility Treatment / Frozen Embryos / In Vitro Fertilization / IVF / Reproductive Laws / Rich Vaughn Article

Barrett Confirmation Could Pose Threat to In Vitro Fertilization

Barrett confirmation to Supreme Court poses a threat to in vitro fertilization (IVF). IFLG calls on Senators to protect reproductive rights. While advocates for reproductive freedom brace for an assault on abortion rights with the potential confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the U.S. Supreme Court, fertility professionals fear that access to common infertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization, or IVF, might also be in jeopardy.

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October 15, 2020
Read more about the article Fatherhood for Gay Men Through Surrogacy Legal Musts and Must-Nots
IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Agreement

Fatherhood for Gay Men Through Surrogacy Legal Musts and Must-Nots

Watch Rich Vaughn of International Fertility Law Group as he discusses the legal musts and must-nots during his participation in this informative webinar led by leading fertility specialist and advocate for LGBTQ families, Dr. John Norian, in which he discusses 'fatherhood for gay men through surrogacy'.

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September 29, 2020
Read more about the article Surrogacy During COVID-19 Update for Intended Parents, Surrogates and Donors
American Bar Association / Coronavirus / Covid-19 Webinars / Foreign Surrogacy / IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Rich Vaughn Article / Surrogacy Agreement / Surrogacy Latest News

Surrogacy During COVID-19 Update for Intended Parents, Surrogates and Donors

Join Rich Vaughn of International Fertility Law Group and surrogacy professionals from all over the U.S. for the latest in a series of webinar discussions about the impacts and challenges…

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August 15, 2020
Read more about the article Time for Equal Justice Under the Law
2020 Election / IFLG

Time for Equal Justice Under the Law

As managing partner in what is effectively a small business serving the public, I always consider carefully when and how much to post about politics or controversies that are outside…

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June 8, 2020
Read more about the article Covid-19 Info for UK LGBTQ Intended Parents Planning Surrogacy in US
Coronavirus / Covid-19 Videos / Foreign Surrogacy / Gay Fathers / IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / LGBT News / LGBT Parents Information / Surrogacy Latest News

Covid-19 Info for UK LGBTQ Intended Parents Planning Surrogacy in US

I am honored to participate in TwoDads.U.K’s COVID-19 Support Sessions on Instagram TV with an April 23 interview entitled “Travel Bans during a US Surrogacy journey.” TwoDads.U.K. is a parenting…

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May 8, 2020
Read more about the article Covid-19 Travel Update for International Intended Parents: Building New Pathways
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Coronavirus / Foreign Surrogacy / IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Surrogacy Latest News / Videos

Covid-19 Travel Update for International Intended Parents: Building New Pathways

Travel Issues for International Intended Parents and Babies Born to U.S. Surrogates During Covid-19:  Building New Pathways Where None Existed Before Our IFLG team has been working non-stop since the…

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May 5, 2020
Read more about the article COVID-19 Travel Update for International Intended Parents
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Coronavirus / Covid-19 Videos / Foreign Surrogacy / IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Surrogacy Latest News / Videos

COVID-19 Travel Update for International Intended Parents

Join assisted reproductive technology attorneys Rich Vaughn and Molly O’Brien of International Fertility Law Group as they share information and advice for international intended parents planning to travel for the…

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May 4, 2020
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Coronavirus / Covid-19 Videos / Foreign Surrogacy / IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Surrogacy Latest News / Videos

International Intended Parents: COVID-19 Travel Advice for US Surrogacy, Birth

Join assisted reproductive technology attorneys Rich Vaughn and Molly O’Brien of International Fertility Law Group as they share information and advice for international intended parents planning to travel for the…

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April 8, 2020
Read more about the article International Intended Parents: Getting Home with Your Baby During COVID-19
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Coronavirus / Covid-19 Videos / Foreign Surrogacy / IFLG / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Surrogacy Latest News / Videos

International Intended Parents: Getting Home with Your Baby During COVID-19

Join assisted reproductive technology attorneys Rich Vaughn and Molly O’Brien of International Fertility Law Group as they share information and advice for international intended parents planning to travel for the…

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April 8, 2020
Read more about the article ART Attorneys Urge Emergency Action on Newborn Passports During COVID-18 Crisis
Assisted Reproductive Technology / Coronavirus / Foreign Surrogacy / Intended Parents / International Surrogacy / Surrogacy Latest News

ART Attorneys Urge Emergency Action on Newborn Passports During COVID-18 Crisis

Among the many challenges intended parents are facing during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is the difficulty in obtaining newborn passports enabling them to take their babies born via surrogacy in…

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April 3, 2020