House Study Bill 214, the over-the-counter birth control bill proposed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, passed through the House Human Resources committee on Wednesday. An amendment was passed to change a few details of the bill. Democrats still wanted more, but said it was a good start.
“I appreciate this bill,” said Democrat Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell. “We need to recognize in no way is this a perfect bill and it does not solve the problem of the family planning and birth control dessert that Iowa is facing today. This is a small step forward.”
Fellow Democrat Rep. John Forbes, a pharmacist, spoke positively about the bill. He said pharmacists are well positioned to determine what the best medication is for a patient. He would prefer to see the patients every 90 days, though, for refills.
Republican Rep. Shannon Lundgren thanked Gov. Reynolds for bringing the bill forward.
“I think it continues to be a work in progress,” she said.
She said she agrees with Reynolds that preventing pregnancies will limit abortions in Iowa.
“We all know that that is important,” Lundgren said.
Republican Representatives Sandy Salmon and Anne Osmundson voted against the bill.