By ALI SWENSON, MICHELLE L. PRICE and LAURA UNGAR

WASHINGTON (AP) — Drugmaker EMD Serono will reduce the cost of a common fertility medication through a deal struck with the Trump administration, President Donald Trump said Thursday while also unveiling new federal guidance he said will encourage employers to offer fertility coverage.

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The new guidance will allow companies to offer fertility benefits separate from major medical insurance plans, like they do with dental and vision plans, Trump said.

“We want to make it easier for all couples to have babies, raise children and start the families they have always dreamed about,” Trump said.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, who heads the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said that as a result: “There are going to be a lot of Trump babies. I think that’s probably a good thing,”

The Oval Office announcement offers a first glimpse at how Trump plans to follow up on his executive order earlier this year aiming to reduce the cost of in vitro fertilization, a medical procedure that helps people facing infertility build their families. But it falls far short of his promise as a candidate to make IVF treatment free. It marks the third deal the administration has made with pharmaceutical companies to cut drug prices in recent weeks.

EMD Serono’s Gonal-f is among several drugs frequently used by patients going through IVF treatments — which involve using hormones to trigger ovulation, producing multiple eggs that are retrieved from the ovaries to be fertilized or frozen. The drugs can be expensive, often costing patients thousands of dollars for a single IVF cycle. Many patients trying to get pregnant through IVF go through more than one cycle.

The White House and EMD Serono said the drug, along with all its other IVF medications, will be available at a discount on TrumpRx, a government website where patients will be able to buy drugs directly from manufacturers. The Trump administration contends that the new website, which is expected to be running in 2026, will cut pharmaceutical costs by allowing people to buy them without a middleman.

Trump said the Food and Drug Administration will also be working with EMD Serono to expedite approval of another one of its fertility drugs available in Europe, called Pergoveris.

Thursday’s announcement comes after Trump issued a February executive order pledging to make IVF more affordable. During his campaign last year, Trump pledged that if he was elected, he would make IVF treatment free.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

“Under the Trump administration, your government will pay for — or your insurance company will be mandated to pay for — all costs associated with IVF treatment,” he said at an event in Michigan. “Because we want more babies, to put it nicely.”

That pledge came in the wake of growing pressure after his Supreme Court nominees helped overturn the right to abortion in Roe v. Wade that kicked off an effort in GOP-led states to impose new restrictions, including some that have threatened access to IVF by trying to define life as beginning at conception.

Roger Shedlin, CEO of the fertility and family building benefits company WIN, on Wednesday expressed excitement about what he called “steps in the right direction.”

“Any initiative that addresses the cost of drugs will have a material positive impact on the overall cost of the fertility cycle,” he said.

Corinn O’Brien, 39, of Birmingham, Alabama, said anything to lower the costs of IVF would be “huge for families.”

O’Brien said she underwent three rounds of IVF and gave birth to a daughter in June. Each time, the drugs would cost anywhere from around $1,000 to $5,000.

She said covering the whole IVF cycle “ultimately would be a game changer for families,” but helping with the cost of drugs “is progress and is much appreciated.”

O’Brien added it would be great if more employers would cover fertility services because, for many, “this is their only chance to expand their family.”

Swenson reported from New York. Ungar reported from Louisville, Kentucky.

By CHRISTOPHER WEBER

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Gov. Gavin Newsom said Thursday that California will begin selling affordable insulin under its own label on Jan. 1, nearly three years after he first announced a partnership to sell state-branded generic drugs at lower prices.

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But California won’t be the only state making lower-cost insulin available. The nonprofit Civica said it will also distribute its economical diabetes medication to pharmacies nationwide. California began partnering with Civica in 2023 for its “CalRx” brand of insulin and put $50 million toward its development, the company said.

Starting in the new year, insulin pens will be available at a recommended price of $11 per pen, or a maximum of $55 for a five-pack, Civica said.

“You don’t need a new prescription,” Newsom said at a news conference in Los Angeles. “It’s access on the basis of affordability.”

It is one piece of California’s effort to lower prescription drug costs by offering generics as a cheaper alternative. Newsom announced in April that the state will sell the overdose medication Naloxone. The drug, available as a nasal spray and in an injectable form, is considered a key tool in the battle against a nationwide overdose crisis.

For the insulin development, the state entered a 10-year deal with Civica and Biocon Biologics in early 2023. Officials said then that they hoped California’s emergence as an insulin-maker would prompt prices to collapse.

The new pens will be interchangeable with glargine, the generic alternative for more expensive once-a-day injections that regulates blood sugar. As a comparison, the equivalent of a five-pack of Eli Lilly’s Rezvoglar sells to pharmacies for more than $88, according to data compiled by the governor’s office, but consumers may pay a different price based on their insurance.

About 38 million Americans — and roughly 3.5 million Californians — have diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association.

Chris Noble, organizing director of Health Access California, a statewide consumer health care advocacy group, welcomed Newsom’s announcement, saying efforts by California and others to develop a competing generic will bring relief to patients who have seen drug prices spike in recent years.

“California consumers need relief now, so health advocates are relieved to see CalRx moving quickly to lower insulin costs for the people of California while continuing to pursue other needed prescription drug cost solutions,” Noble said in a statement Thursday.

There could be risks. State analysts have warned that California’s entry into the market could prompt other manufacturers to reduce the availability of their drugs, a potential unintended consequence.

State lawmakers approved $100 million for the project in 2022, with $50 million dedicated to developing three types of insulin and the rest set aside to invest in a manufacturing facility.

According to state documents from 2023, the proposed program could save many patients between $2,000 and $4,000 a year. In addition, lower costs could result in substantial savings because the state buys the product every year for the millions of people on its publicly funded health plans.

Two candidates are running for mayor of White Bear Lake in November’s election.

In the primary last August Mary Nicklawske received 71% of the vote, while Stephen Laliberte had 18% and Matthew Schoenthaler had 11%. Nicklawske and Laliberte advanced to the November ballot. The two are vying to replace White Bear Lake Mayor Dan Louismet, who won office in 2021 and did not run for reelection.

General information about the Nov. 4, 2025, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.

To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.

White Bear Lake mayor

Stephen Laliberte

(Candidate did not complete the form)

Mary Nicklawske

(Candidate did not complete the form)

Three candidates are running for two seats on the Falcon Heights city council in November’s election.

The three candidates are Jeremy Hallowanger, Georgiana May and Jim Mogen. Eric Meyer has dropped out of the race but his name will still appear on the ballot.

General information about the Nov. 4, 2025, election is online at twincities.com/news/politics/elections including information on candidates for races in Ramsey, Dakota and Washington counties.

To find out what’s on your ballot, where to vote and other election information, visit the Minnesota Secretary of State’s elections page at sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting.

Falcon Heights city council

Jeremy Hallowanger

(Candidate did not complete the form)

Georgiana May

Age: 72

What qualifies you to hold this position?

My 35 years of experience on city commissions and task forces, as well as my skill set as a scientist qualify me for Falcon Heights City Council.

What would your top priorities be if elected?

1) Development of the Les Bolstad Golf Course that is fiscally and environmentally sustainable. 2) Limit property tax increases through innovative programs to generate non-tax revenue sources. 3) Work with our SA Police Department to support a strong, capable police force that is responsive to our community. 4) Integrate the Climate Action Plan into everything we do.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

To provide high quality city services and resources to our residents – police, fires, parks, and the maintenance of infrastructure such as roads.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I cultivate discussions with individuals who may disagree with me by making it clear that I am listening, care about their perspectives, and am confident that together we can address issues of our city. I am persistent in trying to understand other’s perspectives rather than type-casting the person based on initial impressions or their race, gender, or political party.

Website or contact information: georgiana4falconheights.org.

Eric Meyer (this candidate has left the race)

Jim Mogen

Age: 54

What qualifies you to hold this position?

I’m a real estate and environmental lawyer with years of experience helping city and counties make smart, sustainable decisions about land use, housing, and development. That background gives me the tools to ask tough questions, understand complex issues, and find practical solutions that balance growth with neighborhood character. I’ve also served on local committees and worked collaboratively with residents, regional partners, and government agencies—experience that’s essential for getting results on the City Council. Most importantly, I care deeply about Falcon Heights and want to ensure it remains a welcoming, vibrant, and environmentally responsible community for the future.

What would your top priorities be if elected?

My top priority for Falcon Heights—priorities one, two, and three—is ensuring thoughtful handling of the future development of the Les Bolstad Golf Course. This project will shape the character and future of our city for generations. My focus is to make sure the outcome reflects the values of our community, remains financially sustainable for the City, and meets the needs of both current and future residents.

What do you think is the primary role of government?

Government is how we organize ourselves to manage and accomplish the things that affect all of us—those responsibilities best handled collectively rather than individually. It provides the structure for making decisions about shared resources, ensuring justice in our interactions with one another, and protecting the safety and well-being of our citizens.

How do you work to understand, and then learn from, opinions that differ from your own and people who disagree with you?

I seek to understand differing opinions by asking thoughtful questions and listening carefully. Meaningful dialogue begins with curiosity and respect, and I make a deliberate effort to learn the reasoning and experiences that shape another person’s perspective. I am not hesitant to explore the background or motivations behind decisions that affect the City, as doing so leads to a fuller understanding of the issues and helps identify shared values. Even when disagreement remains, this process strengthens decision-making and promotes outcomes that reflect the diverse viewpoints within our community.

Website or contact information: Mogen.net.