Iowa’s strict abortion law, which went into effect on Monday, prohibits most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. Republican leaders in the state have been seeking this law for years, and it gained momentum after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. Iowa Supreme Court also ruled that there is no constitutional right to abortion in the state.
This law makes Iowa one of four states that ban abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, with 14 states having near-total bans at all stages of pregnancy. Abortion providers in Iowa have been preparing for this law, ensuring abortion access in neighboring states and drawing on experiences where bans went into effect more quickly.
While the law has faced legal challenges from organizations like the ACLU and Planned Parenthood, it was ultimately upheld by the Iowa Supreme Court. The law prohibits abortions after cardiac activity can be detected, roughly around six weeks, with limited exceptions for cases of rape, incest, fetal abnormality, or when the mother’s life is in danger.
Abortion clinics in Iowa are still offering in-person procedures before cardiac activity is detected, with providers making investments within and outside the state to prepare for the restrictions. However, there are concerns that these restrictions will exacerbate health inequalities for women of color and those from low-income households. With the constantly changing landscape of abortion laws across the country, providers are working to ensure access through options like telehealth, underground networks, and cross-state travel.
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