Sen. Rick Scott proposes resolution supporting in vitro fertilization treatments

The burgeoning nationwide debate over protecting in vitro fertilization treatments is now an issue in Florida's U.S. Senate race, too.

Incumbent Republican Rick Scott has introduced a resolution to reaffirm the Senate's commitment to the "growth of families," including through IVF. But one of the Democrats seeking to unseat him said Scott's resolution is a meager, symbolic action considering that much stronger legislation has been proposed by a Democratic senator.

Scott, who is running to win a second term this November, said in a statement that he believes "it is important for the Senate to make clear our unwavering support for current and aspiring parents using IVF to start and grow their families."

"IVF is a wonderful thing that enables so many Americans struggling with infertility to have children and start a family. I have friends and family members who have used IVF, and so do countless Floridians and Americans," Scott said.

The senator has said in the past that he believes life begins at conception. But on Feb. 23, he also said any "attempt to restrict IVF must be rejected."

Scott's resolution has a companion measure on Capitol Hill. U.S. Rep. Kat Cammack, R-Gainesville, has filed a similar bill in the House.

"There is nothing more pro-life than helping women start and raise families. IVF has done just that for decades, allowing thousands of American couples to become parents and experience the joys of raising children," Cammack said.

A resolution is not a measure that can become federal law. It's an official expression of an opinion in the Senate, and Scott's resolution includes language in which the upper chamber encourages state laws protecting access to IVF.

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Democrat said Scott must do more than offer symbolic resolution

That's where the bipartisan accord on IVF ends.

Former U.S. Rep. Debbie Mucarsel-Powell of Miami, a Democrat who is among a platoon of candidates seeking to win the party's nomination to challenge Scott for the state's U.S. Senate seat, said Scott must do a lot more than offer a gesture of support.

Mucarsel-Powell said that if Scott did truly want to protect IVF, he should support the bill proposed by U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Illinois, to protect the treatments in federal law.

"He [Scott] refused to do that," Mucarsel-Powell said. "He has been very vocal in saying that he supports life at conception ... He knows he's vulnerable."

It's not the only area of disagreement over IVF in Florida, however.

State Democrats have attacked Republicans for weeks over IVF access since the Alabama Supreme Court ruled frozen embryos are people, and an IVF laboratory or service provider that destroys unused embryos would be liable in a wrongful death lawsuit.

On Wednesday, however, Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, signed legislation into law intended to protect IVF patients and providers from legal liability. However, reproductive health experts caution the new Alabama law does not address the issue of personhood and further legislation may still be required. 

IVF protections in Florida:Florida Democrats call for federal IVF protections after Alabama court ruling

In Florida, Republican lawmakers filed a bill that would give an unborn child new protections similar to the Alabama ruling. The legislation did not pass the Legislature, but it could be refiled next year.

State Democrats said the bill is another attack on reproductive rights in Florida and a way to instill fear into doctors who provide IVF treatments.

Stephany Matat is a politics reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY-Florida network. Reach her at smatat@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.