House Study Bill 678 made it through a House Human Services committee hearing on Tuesday. The bill adds licensing and inspection regulations to abortion facilities in Iowa.
Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell (D-Ames) said abortion is the most regulated medical procedure. She said since 2011, there have been more than 400 abortion restrictions passed in 36 states.
“Abortion is a common and safe medical procedure,” she said.
The bill is politically motivated, she said, to eliminate access to abortion in Iowa.
Rep. Heather Matson (D-Ankeny) asked how this bill will increase access to health care providers for women when the intent seems to be to force providers out of business.
“This is not saying we are shutting down abortion clinics,” said Rep. Holly Brink (R-Oskaloosa). “This is saying we want women’s healthcare to have a minimum standard. We need to have minimum health standards to ensure that we have the safest, best results possible. Nowhere does it say we’ll shut down a facility of any kind.”
Rep. Shannon Lundgren (R-Peosta) said that in her community, after a crisis pregnancy center took over a Planned Parenthood building, there were nearly 1,200 patient records left behind by Planned Parenthood. Planned Parenthood said they did not do surgical abortions, but surgical equipment was found in the building and left behind as well.
“Representative Wessel-Kroeschell mentioned it’s the most regulated procedure ever and I say yes because there are two people involved — there’s a baby and there’s a woman,” Lundgren said.
Brink finished by encouraging her colleagues to vote for the bill as it would increase safety for women.
“This bill establishes minimum health and safety standards for women,” Brink said. “We talk about women’s rights and protecting women — that is what this does. If we have the ability to make something safer, why would we not do it? It saddens me that we can’t agree on if there’s another way to make it better for women that we do.”
The bill passed 11-10.
