Iowa lawmakers OK 20-week abortion ban, 3-day wait period

[TexasTowelie]

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature has approved a bill that would ban most abortions in the state at 20 weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions for rape, incest or fatal fetal conditions.

The state Senate voted 30-20 Tuesday for the legislation and the state House approved it earlier this month. The bill heads to GOP Gov. Terry Branstad, who is expected to sign it.

At least 19 other states have approved similar 20-week bans, which are based on the disputed premise that a fetus can feel pain at that stage. Some have been halted amid court challenges.

The legislation would also require a woman to wait 72 hours before she could get an abortion.

Read more: http://www.kcci.com/article/woman-trudges-through-flood-waters-to-rescue-baby-caught-in-car/9523243

[progressoid]

1. Just got this email from Planned Parenthood:

In an unprecedented and appalling move, tonight the Iowa Senate voted to restrict women’s access to safe and legal abortion. With this vote, Iowa has gone from a state that supports women and families, to one that is turning back the clock 50 years. The goals of these lawmakers are to shame women, and place undue and unconstitutional burdens on their attempts to access safe and legal abortion.

We call on the Branstad/Reynolds administration to immediately veto this terrible anti-woman legislation.

In addition to the cruel, medically ignorant ban on abortion after 20 weeks, Iowa would have one of the longest waiting periods (72 hours) in the country – forcing women to make multiple trips to their health care provider to obtain an abortion. The bill also makes zero exceptions for rape, incest, or fetal anomalies.

Rest assured, this fight is far from over. We will turn over every rock and explore every option when it comes to protecting abortion access for our patients and for all women across our affiliate.

We will keep you informed as this fight continues.



Suzanna de Baca
President/CEO
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland
Planned Parenthood Voters of Iowa