Iowa’s Six-Week Abortion Ban Enforced Starting Monday

An Iowa judge has ruled that the state’s strict abortion law will take effect on Monday, preventing most abortions after approximately six weeks of pregnancy, often before women know they are pregnant.

Judicial Decision and Context

The law, passed last year but initially blocked, was reinstated after the Iowa Supreme Court declared no constitutional right to abortion in the state. This decision led to the district court judge’s order for the law to take effect at 8:00 am CT next Monday.

Lawyers for abortion providers requested notice before the law’s enforcement to ensure service continuity. Iowa mandates a 24-hour waiting period after an initial abortion consultation. Previously, abortion was legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The Supreme Court’s order marked a victory for Iowa’s Republican leaders after prolonged legal battles.

Abortion Access Impact

Iowa joins over a dozen states with significantly restricted abortion access since the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Currently, 14 states have near-total bans, and three states, soon to include Iowa, ban abortions after about six weeks.

Political and Social Reactions

Abortion access is expected to be a key issue in the 2024 election. Kamala Harris has emphasized the importance of reproductive health in the upcoming election and has campaigned on this issue, including a visit to Des Moines after the stricter law passed.

Iowa’s Republican-controlled legislature passed the law in a special session last July, immediately challenged by the ACLU of Iowa, Planned Parenthood North Central States, and the Emma Goldman Clinic. The law was briefly in effect before being blocked.

Statements and Exceptions

“Today is a victory for life,” said Republican Governor Kim Reynolds. The law allows abortions after six weeks in limited cases: rape reported within 45 days, incest reported within 145 days, life-threatening pregnancies, or severe fetal abnormalities.

Healthcare Providers’ Response

Iowa’s medical board established practice standards earlier this year, without specifying noncompliance penalties. Planned Parenthood and the Emma Goldman Clinic will continue providing abortion services in compliance with the law.

Planned Parenthood has prepared for this outcome by expanding facilities in nearby states. In the past year, they have closed two Iowa clinics, leaving two offering in-person abortion services and three providing medication-based abortions.

Challenges for Patients

Des Moines residents seeking abortions have been traveling to Ames, 35 miles north. Alex Sharp, who manages the Ames facility, noted the difficulty in telling patients they are too late for an abortion under the new law.

“Many are unaware of the law change,” Sharp said. Clinics offered additional appointments in June, anticipating the Supreme Court decision, and are fully booked in July. “It’s possible some patients may be over six weeks, but we will check,” she said.

Future Implications

Sarah Traxler, Planned Parenthood’s medical director, highlighted the challenge of enforcing a six-week abortion limit. The CDC reported that 44% of abortions in Iowa in 2021 occurred at or before six weeks. In other states with similar bans, abortion rates have halved.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that abortion laws should be judged by the government’s legitimate interest in restrictions, not by the burden on access. Conservative leaders in Iowa celebrated the decision as a step toward more extensive abortion restrictions.

Chuck Hurley of The Family Leader praised the ruling but emphasized ongoing efforts. “Fourteen states protect babies from conception, and Iowa should be the 15th,” he stated.