Planned Parenthood Adapts Care as Near-Total Abortion Ban Takes Effect in Iowa

Note: AP style avoids the use of "fetal heartbeat" bill since this legislation addresses neither a fetus (it's still an embryo) nor a heartbeat (it hasn't yet developed a heart).  

Des Moines, IA— Today access to most abortions in Iowa went dark, as a law banning abortions as early as six weeks, before many people know they are pregnant, took effect Monday morning, following a district court order. 

Planned Parenthood is proud to continue to provide abortions in Iowa in compliance with the law if no cardiac activity is detected or under one of the ban’s narrow and limited exceptions. If patients don’t meet the requirements of the law, Planned Parenthood has a network of patient navigators prepared to help patients determine whether they can still be seen in Iowa or must travel to different health centers in Minnesota, Nebraska, and other neighboring states.  

“The ban going into effect today will impact Iowans for generations to come,” said Ruth Richardson, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “Abortion is essential, time-sensitive health care. We want people to know that Planned Parenthood is here and committed to meeting the health care needs of as many patients as possible. We have spent months planning for the possibility of this new reality, putting in place patient navigators and other supports to connect patients with the care they so desperately need—both now and in the future.”  

“We are tired, but we are not defeated,” said Dr. Sarah Traxler, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “Instead, we stand strong with Iowans in this moment. We know a majority of Iowans support safe and legal abortion. Personal health care decisions belong between patients and their doctors, not politicians who lack any medical expertise. We have planned for this moment. We understand the real people who will be impacted by this reckless ban and we're doing everything we can to mitigate the harm caused by this dangerous policy.”   

Iowans lost their right to control their bodies and futures last month when the Iowa Supreme Court dealt a devastating blow to essential health care access by announcing the state’s dangerous abortion ban can soon take effect. The decision will force thousands of Iowans either to go out of state or to carry their pregnancy to term against their will.  

The lawsuit challenging the ban was brought by Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the ACLU of Iowa on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland (a wholly owned subsidiary of Planned Parenthood North Central States), the Emma Goldman Clinic, and Dr. Sarah Traxler, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States.   

Planned Parenthood North Central States remains committed to providing a wide range of affordable, high quality sexual and reproductive health care in Iowa, including: annual exams, birth control, emergency contraception, breast and chest exams, PEP and PrEP for HIV prevention, fertility awareness education, LGBTQ+ care and coordination including gender affirming care, screening and treatment for anxiety and depression, PAP smears, testing and treatment for sexual transmitted infections, UTIs, vaginal infections, and bladder infections.  

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Planned Parenthood North Central States and its subsidiary organizations provide, promote, and protect reproductive and sexual health through high quality care, education, and advocacy. A member of America’s most trusted reproductive health care provider, our affiliate is proud to support and operate health centers across our five-state region (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota). Each year, we provide health care to nearly 93,000 people and health education to over 58,000 people in our region.