Planned Parenthood Adapts Care as Iowa’s Near-Total Abortion Ban is Scheduled to Take Effect 

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 — On Tuesday, an Iowa district court issued an order announcing that it will lift the injunction that had blocked Iowa’s dangerous abortion ban. The ban will now go into effect at 8 a.m. Monday, July 29, banning nearly all abortions at about six weeks, before most people know they are pregnant.  

For the remainder of this week, Planned Parenthood will continue to provide abortion care under current protocols. Come July 29, it will provide abortions in Iowa in compliance with the law, which specifies no cardiac activity is detected and allows only very narrow and limited exceptions. Planned Parenthood is 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.  

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 that the state’s dangerous abortion ban can soon take effect through a lifting of the injunction. The decision will force thousands of Iowans either to go out of state or to carry their pregnancy to term against their will.  

“Our hearts are heavy as Iowans have lost the ability to make personal, private medical decisions,” said Ruth Richardson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States. “Any time a patient is forced to travel across state lines for essential health care is devastating. We are committed to doing everything we can to help patients get the care they need, which has included long-term regional investments in our Mankato and Omaha health centers. But Iowans deserve to access care in their own community and in their own state. We will continue to fight to restore their bodily autonomy.”  

Iowa politicians passed the abortion ban during an unprecedented one-day special session last summer after the Court had rejected a similar ban passed in 2018. Shortly after the most current ban was signed, Iowa abortion providers filed a lawsuit challenging it and won a temporary injunction blocking the ban while the lawsuit proceeded. Last month, the Iowa Supreme Court reversed the district court, allowing the ban to take effect.  

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.

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S.