TL/DR –
Iowa’s Supreme Court has approved a six-week ban on abortion, a measure that restricts the procedure after fetal cardiac activity can be detected. The law was passed by the Republican-led legislature in 2023 and has limited exceptions for rape, incest, or if a woman’s life is in danger. This decision has significantly affected the landscape of reproductive health in Iowa, forcing many women to travel out of state for an abortion.
Iowa’s Abortion Ban Takes Effect After Supreme Court Ruling
The Supreme Court of Iowa allowed a six-week abortion ban on Friday, following a series of decisions across the U.S restricting abortion access since the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision ended federal protection for this procedure.
Details of the Measure
The measure limits the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy, the time when fetal cardiac activity can be detected. This ruling disrupts the landscape of reproductive health in Iowa as now most women will need to travel out of state for abortions.
Impact on Elections
As per a Washington Post analysis, 18 states now have bans on most or all abortions, impacting over a third of American women. The issue is likely to feature in the fall elections and could prove critical for President Biden’s reelection.
Reaction to the Ruling
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds expressed satisfaction at the court’s decision. However, the ACLU of Iowa and head of the Iowa Democratic Party criticized the decision, with the latter noting that around 4,000 women in the state sought abortions each year.
Preparation by Abortion Providers
Abortion providers in Iowa, such as Planned Parenthood, had been making contingency plans ahead of the ruling. They have expanded locations in nearby states to assist women from Iowa.
Future Proceedings
It will take a minimum of 21 days for the case to be sent back to the district court, the ACLU noted. Until then, abortion will remain legal in the state.
Abortion Rights Across the U.S
Across the country, abortion continues to be a contentious issue. The U.S. Supreme Court recently permitted physicians in Idaho to perform emergency abortions while litigation continues. In another ruling, the court preserved access to mifepristone, used in over 60% of U.S. abortions.
Iowa’s History of Abortion Laws
Iowa’s legislature passed an abortion ban in 2018 that was permanently blocked by the courts. Governor Reynolds, an abortion opponent, convened a special session last summer to pass a second six-week ban.
Public Opinion in Iowa
Despite the controversial issue, a majority of Iowans believe abortion should be legal in most cases, according to a poll by Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa.
Rally Against Abortion
In anticipation of the ruling, hundreds of abortion opponents rallied at the Capitol in Des Moines on Saturday.
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