President Trump announced a pair of efforts Thursday aimed at expanding access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) as he seeks to deliver on a major campaign promise.

Trump in the Oval Office announced that his administration was issuing guidance that would allow employers to offer IVF coverage as a benefit as part of company insurance plans. He also announced an agreement intended to lower the cost of a popular fertility drug.

Administration officials said the updated guidance from the Department of Labor, the Treasury Department and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would make opting in to fertility benefits similar to opting in for dental or vision benefits as part of an employer’s insurance plan.

The guidance does not require employers to offer a fertility benefit, and a senior administration official acknowledged it would take time for interested employers to implement.

The administration official said premium costs for any fertility benefit would be dependent on factors including a specific employer’s contributions and which benefits it offers.

A number of the administration's health care initiatives have so far relied on the voluntary participation of companies, like phasing out artificial food dyes and Trump's “most favored nation” policy to lower prescription drug costs.

In addition, Trump said his administration had reached an agreement with EMD Serono to offer its fertility drugs including Gonal-F as part of a “most favored nation” plan that stipulates certain medications cannot be sold to Americans for more than the highest price overseas.

"EMD Serono, the largest........

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