Sen. Majority Leader Cannizzaro, Attorney General Ford, and Advocates React to Gov. Lombardo’s Veto of Senate Bill 217, IVF Protection Bill

LAS VEGAS – Today, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and Attorney General Aaron Ford joined advocates to call out Gov. Joe Lombardo’s disappointing veto of Senate Bill 217 (SB217), a measure that aimed to expand and equalize access to in vitro fertilization (IVF) fertility treatments. SB217, sponsored by Sen. Cannizzaro, received bipartisan support in the Senate.

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Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro issued the following statement:

“Nothing in SB217 burdens Medicaid. The truth of the matter is that national anti abortion groups got to the governor, and we saw that firsthand at the legislature during testimony. They came out in full force to oppose this bill. The day before he vetoed this bill, those groups were, in fact, bragging in the media about their campaign to pressure him to kill this bill. That was their goal. They don't want any Nevada families to have access to IVF, and Governor Lombardo went along with it. This veto was purely about politics and pleasing his base. Nevada is a state that stands for reproductive rights. We're a state that stands for protecting rights to access health care that we need, and we're a state that doesn't appreciate having an out-of-state political agenda that doesn't align with our values pushed on us. Vetoing this bill was absolutely wrong. The governor let us down. He let providers down, and he let families across Nevada down.”

Attorney General Aaron Ford issued the following statement:

“Thank you so much to Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro for authoring this bill and for fighting alongside me and every single Nevada family. Lombardo's position on choice is out of step with the majority of people in our state. Let me be clear, I believe in protecting your freedom to build a family. I believe in respecting a doctor. I believe in trusting women and leading with science. That's the future I'm fighting for, one where our government expands opportunities, helps people, does not hinder them, or denies opportunities. And I'm not going to stop fighting. Lombardo has made his choice, and he chose a side with anti-choice extremists over Nevada families. My choice is as clear today as it has always been: I stand with Nevada families. I stand with individuals' freedoms to choose what the future looks like, and I stand with us moving forward.”

Jessica Woods, President of Nevada Fertility Advocates, issued the following statement:

“On behalf of Nevada Fertility Advocates, we express our sincere gratitude to Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro and her team for sponsoring SB217. Infertility does not discriminate. It affects 1 in 6 couples, regardless of income, age, medical history, or diagnosis. SB217 aimed to bring access to those who are often left out of fertility coverage—hardworking individuals and families who simply want the chance to build a family without facing overwhelming financial barriers. While this veto is a setback, it is not the end of our efforts. We remain hopeful that Nevada will one day join the growing number of states that recognize infertility care as essential, not elective.”

Sue Burtch, Nevada NOW Executive Director, issued the following statement:

“SB217 would have given access to IVF treatments to thousands of Nevadans, giving them the hope of having a family. I know a young woman who had a hysterectomy at age 15 due to cancer. She's barely 21 now, just starting her adult years and coming to terms with the probability of never having a family. I told her I was coming here today, and she cried tears of joy that people were in her corner. With one swipe of his pen, Governor Lombardo crushed the hopes and dreams of Nevadans who are already devastated by infertility and cancer. His reason for doing so is, quite frankly, a cop out and no pun intended. This would have been an investment in the people of Nevada and future Nevadans, a worthwhile investment that should be made.”

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress, issued the following statement:

“Gov. Joe Lombardo’s veto of SB217 is, at its core, a fundamentally anti-family decision, plain and simple. This bill would have given families across Nevada the opportunity to get the financial support they need for these essential treatments through their health insurance. Had Lombardo had the courage to sign it, it could have transformed the lives of would-be parents who have been denied by a system where wealth alone picks winners and losers. Instead, Lombardo fell in lockstep with the MAGA agenda, looking to the lead of Alabama and other Republican legislatures that have sought to strip away reproductive rights, no matter the costs.”

Denise Lopez, Reproductive Freedom For All Director of Nevada Campaigns, issued the following statement:

"With his veto of SB217, Governor Lombardo showed Nevadans that we can’t count on him to protect our reproductive freedom. This bill would have made sure everyone could access fertility care, no matter how much money they make, and protected against Republican efforts to ban IVF. Come November 2026, we won't let Nevadans forget that Governor Lombardo left our reproductive freedom in the balance."

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