Senate Democrats in Iowa gathered in Des Moines Tuesday morning to release their legislation plans on reproductive freedom in the state. In the press conference via Zoom, they introduced a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing reproductive freedom and access to abortion care in Iowa.
The amendment is a central part of a new legislative package from Senate Democrats to protect, expand and codify legal protections for reproductive healthcare the state.
“Iowans prize their freedom – and that includes the freedom to plan and decide their reproductive future,” said Senate Democratic Leader Pam Jochum (D-Dubuque). “With this legislative package, we’re answering their call for reproductive freedom by guarding against extreme bans and destructive policies that endanger the health of Iowans.”
The amendment’s language is modeled on voter-approved measures added to state constitutions in Michigan and Ohio.
“The majority of Iowans don’t want extremists in charge of our healthcare decisions,” said Sen. Janet Petersen (D-Des Moines). “Reproductive freedom matters to Iowans, and those rights should be protected in our Constitution. Senate Democrats are united behind a constitutional amendment that protects our reproductive freedom and reflects the will of Iowans.”
The proposed legislative package would include legislation providing access to over-the-counter birth control, reinstating state support for family planning services, and expanding postpartum coverage to one year for new mothers and children under Medicaid.
The amendment and legislative package include:
- A constitutional right to reproductive freedom. This part of the package would codify the right to reproductive freedom in Iowa’s State Constitution through a constitutional amendment. This includes the right to prenatal and childbirth care, postpartum care, contraception, abortion care, miscarriage management and infertility care. State restrictions would be subject to strict scrutiny by the courts.
- Over-the-counter birth control. The package would allow pharmacists to order and dispense birth control without a doctor’s prescription. Legislators say this would increase access to birth control and contraceptives across Iowa.
- Family planning services for Iowans. This package would reinstate the state family planning program that was defunded in 2017.
- Postpartum Medicaid Coverage: Senate File 57. This bill would provide postpartum coverage for pregnant Iowans for up to 12 months after pregnancy, an increase from the current 60-day requirement.
- Right to Contraception: Senate File 2135. This legislation would codify the rights of Iowans to access and obtain contraception as well as prohibiting health providers from adopting limitations or requirements that would delay access to contraceptives. It preempts any future state or local government restrictions on contraceptive access and authorizes enforcement for violations of the law.