In a 3-3 split decision, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld an injunction against Iowa’s six-week abortion ban. For now, Iowans maintain freedom of choice in maternity care. Healthcare providers remain free to deliver full maternity care during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy. Iowans and doctors will not be prosecuted for seeking or providing maternity care.
But this is a temporary outcome. Governor Reynolds and Republican lawmakers are exploring options for pushing their so-called “pro-life” policies on all Iowans. Maybe we should learn a lesson from Texas.
There, 13 women sued the State of Texas because a similar law put their lives in danger. One woman’s doctor told her that her fetus wouldn’t survive birth. The doctor refused to help her until she developed a near-fatal infection. The Texas law contains a “risk to the mother” exception. But the doctor still feared arrest because of the law’s vague wording.
Are these cases an unintended consequence or an acceptable risk? Either way, these situations are inhumane and dangerous. Is this what’s considered a “pro-life” policy?
Lawmakers untrained in medicine should not interfere with Iowans’ healthcare decisions. Tell your elected representatives that Iowans must be allowed to make healthcare choices for themselves.