Iowa’s controversial six-week abortion ban, known as the “fetal heartbeat” law, will officially take effect on July 29 after a judge’s ruling. The law bans abortion after fetal cardiac activity can be detected by ultrasound at around six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities, and to protect the mother’s life. The law was passed in 2023 but was previously blocked by a district judge.
The Iowa Supreme Court recently ruled the law constitutional, setting a lower legal bar for future abortion restrictions. Governor Kim Reynolds, a proponent of the law, called it “a victory for life” and emphasized her commitment to supporting families and promoting adoption. Iowa will join other states with near-complete abortion bans, following a trend of increased abortion restrictions across the country.
Most abortions in Iowa occur before 14 weeks of gestation, with the law potentially impacting up to 98% of abortions in the state. Enforcement of the law falls under the jurisdiction of the Iowa Board of Medicine, which is still determining penalties for violating the ban. Doctors have expressed concerns about lack of clarity in the rules, particularly in cases of medical emergencies where an abortion may be necessary to save the mother’s life.
Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers have stated their intention to continue offering services under the ban, while also considering further legal challenges on constitutional grounds not addressed in the recent court ruling. The ban has sparked debate about reproductive rights and access to abortion services in Iowa and across the country.
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