Abortion in Iowa

By the end of the 1800s, all states in the Union except Louisiana had therapeutic exceptions in their legislative bans on abortions.{{Cite journal|last=Buell|first=Samuel|date=1991-01-01|title=Criminal Abortion Revisited|url=https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/faculty_scholarship/2174|journal=New York University Law Review|volume=66|issue=6|pages=1774–1831|pmid=11652642}} In the 19th century, bans by state legislatures on abortion were partly about protecting the life of the mother given the number of deaths caused by abortions; state governments saw themselves as looking out for the lives of their citizens.

In 2012, Iowa was one of three states where the legislature introduced a bill that would have banned abortion in almost all cases. It did not pass. The legislature tried and failed again in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018, where they were one of five states, one of three states, one of five states, one of four states, one of eleven states, and one of eleven states respectively trying to ban abortion.

In 2017 in Iowa, the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a bill that rejected millions of dollars in federal funding for Medicaid as part of their efforts to try to defund Planned Parenthood and its abortion services in the state. The state legislature was one of ten states nationwide that tried to unsuccessfully pass an early abortion ban in 2018. Only Iowa successfully passed such a bill, but it was struck down by the courts. The legislature had successfully passed a law moving the state's abortion ban to 6 weeks sometime between 2018 and 2019. This was struck down by the courts as too extreme. As of mid-April 2019, state law banned abortion after week 22.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/15/us/abortion-laws-2019.html|title='The Time Is Now': States Are Rushing to Restrict Abortion, or to Protect It|last=Tavernise|first=Sabrina|date=2019-05-15|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-05-24|issn=0362-4331}} On May 4, 2018, governor Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that would ban abortion in Iowa after embryonic cardiac activity is detected, starting July 1, 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/05/04/abortion-ban-law-iowa-fetal-heartbeat/577443002/|title=Nearly all abortions banned in Iowa as Gov. Kim Reynolds signs 'fetal heartbeat' law|website=Des Moines Register|access-date=May 4, 2018}} On January 22, 2019, a county district judge declared the law to be in violation of Iowa's State Constitution and entered a permanent injunction prohibiting its enforcement.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/01/23/iowa-fetal-heartbeat-abortion-law-ruling/2655252002/|title=Iowa 'fetal heartbeat' abortion restriction declared unconstitutional|last1=Leys|first1=Tony|date=January 23, 2019|access-date=February 10, 2019|publisher=USA Today}} In 2019, women in Iowa were eligible for pregnancy accommodation and pregnancy-related disability as a result of legal abortion or miscarriage. Employers were required to offer up to eight weeks of unpaid leave if a woman did not have sufficient leave available.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/pregnant-nursing-employment-protections|title=U.S. Department of Labor - Employment Protection For Workers Who Are Pregnant Or Nursing|website=www.dol.gov|access-date=2022-06-30}}

In February 2020, the State Senate passed a constitutional amendment clarifying that there is no right to an abortion in the Iowa constitution. Approval in two consecutive legislative sessions is required for a constitutional amendment to appear on the ballot. The amendment passed the House and Senate in May 2021 but did not pass in the 2023–2024 legislative session.{{Cite web |title=Iowa No State Constitutional Right to Abortion Amendment (2024) |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Iowa_No_State_Constitutional_Right_to_Abortion_Amendment_(2024) |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}

In July 2023, Governor Kim Reynolds arranged for a special session for the Iowa legislature, which according to Reynolds had "the sole purpose of enacting legislation that addresses abortion and protects unborn lives."{{cite news |last1=Gruber-Miller |first1=Stephen |title=What to know about Gov. Kim Reynolds' call for a special session to pass new abortion laws |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/05/kim-reynolds-calls-legislature-special-session-july-10-new-iowa-abortion-law-restrictions/70378574007/ |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=Des Moines Register |date=July 6, 2023 |archive-date=August 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240801140035/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/05/kim-reynolds-calls-legislature-special-session-july-10-new-iowa-abortion-law-restrictions/70378574007/}} During the session on July 11, 2023, a bill (House File 732) to further restrict abortions was passed by the Iowa House 56–34 and the Iowa Senate 32–17.{{Cite news |last1=Wax-Thibodeaux |first1=Emily |last2=Roubein |first2=Rachel |last3=Ables |first3=Kelsey |date=July 12, 2023 |title=GOP-controlled Iowa legislature votes to ban abortion after about six weeks |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/07/11/iowa-abortion-ban-vote/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240801140459/https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/07/11/iowa-abortion-ban-vote/ |archive-date=August 1, 2024}} Only Iowa Republican lawmakers supported the bill, with all Iowa Democratic lawmakers who were present at the special session voting against the bill, along with three Iowa Republican lawmakers that voted against.{{cite news |title='Fetal heartbeat' bill: How each Iowa lawmaker voted in special session |url=https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-legislature-how-lawmakers-voted-fetal-heartbeat-6-week-abortion-ban/44518483 |access-date=August 1, 2024 |work=kcci.com |date=July 12, 2024}} Reynolds signed the bill into state law on July 14, 2023.{{Cite news |last=Fingerhut |first=Hannah |date=2023-07-14 |title=Iowa Bans Most Abortions After 6 Weeks |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/iowa-abortion-ban-law_n_64b1b030e4b093f07caec1dc |access-date=2023-07-15 |work=HuffPost |language=en}}

The 2023 bill was written to ban abortion upon the detection of embryonic cardiac-cell activity.{{cite news |last1=Akin |first1=Katie |last2=Ramm |first2=Michaela |title=What is a 'fetal heartbeat?' What you should know about Iowa's new 6-week abortion bill |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/11/iowa-abortion-ban-fetal-heartbeat-what-to-know-legislature-special-session-medical-emergencies/70392818007/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240801144020/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/11/iowa-abortion-ban-fetal-heartbeat-what-to-know-legislature-special-session-medical-emergencies/70392818007/ |archive-date=August 1, 2024 |access-date=July 30, 2024 |work=Des Moines Register |date=July 12, 2023}} This can be detected from around six weeks after the woman's last menstrual period, when many women are not yet aware that they are pregnant.{{cite news |last1=Gruber-Miller |first1=Stephen |last2=Akin |first2=Katie |last3=Bacharier |first3=Galen |title=Iowa Legislature passes bill banning most abortions after about 6 weeks; governor to sign Friday |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/12/iowa-legislature-six-week-abortion-ban/70404620007/ |access-date=July 30, 2024 |work=USA Today |date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240801144155/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2023/07/12/iowa-legislature-six-week-abortion-ban/70404620007/|archive-date=August 1, 2024}}Various sources:

1. {{cite news |last1=Fingernut |first1=Hannah |title=Iowa now bans most abortions after about 6 weeks, before many women know they're pregnant |url=https://apnews.com/article/iowa-abortion-ban-bd8a959fd64fef5914459e9ea4a64294 |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=Associated Press |date=July 29, 2024 |quote=…prohibiting most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, before many women know they are pregnant.}}
2. {{cite news |last1=Campbell|first1=Josh|title=Iowa starts enforcing six-week abortion ban

|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/iowa-starts-enforcing-six-week-abortion-ban-2024-07-29/ |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=Reuters |date=July 30, 2024 |quote=…ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy … bans abortion before many women know they are pregnant}}

1. {{cite news |last1=Ahmed |first1=Issam |title=Iowa Latest US State To Adopt Near-total Abortion Ban |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/iowa-latest-us-state-to-adopt-near-total-abortion-ban-57b8868e?refsec=topics_afp-news |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=Barron's |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=July 29, 2024 |quote=The law prohibits terminating nearly all pregnancies after six weeks -- the point at which cardiac activity can be detected -- even though many women do not realize they are pregnant at this stage.}}
2. {{cite news |last1=Sherman |first1=Carter |title=More US women have tried to induce their own abortion since fall of Roe – report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/article/2024/jul/30/us-women-self-managed-abortion-pill |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=July 30, 2024 |quote=Iowa became the fourth state to ban the procedure past about six weeks of pregnancy, before many women even know they are pregnant.}}
3. {{cite news |last1=Krebs |first1=Natalie |title=Iowa Supreme Court rules 6-week abortion ban can go into effect |url=https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2024-06-28/iowa-supreme-court-rules-6-week-abortion-ban-can-go-into-effect |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=Iowa Public Radio |date=June 28, 2024 |quote=…cardiac activity is detected, which can be as early as six weeks of pregnancy. That is before many people know they’re pregnant. It effectively bans most procedures in Iowa.}}
4. {{cite news |last1=Ramm |first1=Michaela |title=As Iowa's 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban looms, clinics prepare for an uncertain future |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2024/07/17/iowa-abortion-law-6-week-ban-clinics-report-tension-uncertainty/74368592007/ |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=Des Moines Register |date=July 17, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240717141330/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2024/07/17/iowa-abortion-law-6-week-ban-clinics-report-tension-uncertainty/74368592007/ |archive-date=July 17, 2024 |quote=The law bans most abortions after fetal cardiac activity can be detected, typically at about six weeks of pregnancy – before many women know they’re pregnant.}} State courts blocked the law on July 17, 2023, and lifted the block on July 29, 2024.{{cite news |last1=Morris |first1=William |last2=Ramm |first2=Michaela |title=What you should know about Iowa's 6-week abortion ban that is now in effect |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/23/iowa-abortion-law-takes-effect-july-29-fetal-heartbeat-law-planned-parenthood/74512355007/ |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=Des Moines Register |date=July 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240805145855/https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2024/07/23/iowa-abortion-law-takes-effect-july-29-fetal-heartbeat-law-planned-parenthood/74512355007/ |archive-date=August 5, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Ross |first1=Kendall |last2=Kekatos |first2=Mary |title=Iowa judge temporarily halts 6-week abortion law |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/iowa-judge-temporarily-halts-6-week-abortion-law/story?id=101358044 |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=ABC News |date=July 18, 2023}}

The US Supreme Court's decision in 1973's Roe v. Wade ruling meant the state could no longer regulate abortion in the first trimester.

On May 15, 2018, eleven days after Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed SF 359 into law, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Inc., Jill Meadows, M.D., and Emma Goldman Clinic (petitioners) filed a lawsuit seeking declaratory and injunctive relief in state court arguing the early abortion ban violated the Iowa State Constitution.{{cite web|url=https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/IowaAbortion.pdf|title=Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Inc., Emma Goldman Clinic, and Jill Meadows, M.d., V. Kim Reynolds ex rel. State of Iowa and Iowa Board of Medicine |date=May 15, 2018|website=CourthouseNews.com|publisher=Courthouse News Service|access-date=February 10, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.aclu-ia.org/en/news/aclu-planned-parenthood-emma-goldman-clinic-file-lawsuit-block-iowa-abortion-law|title=ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Emma Goldman Clinic File Lawsuit to Block Iowa Abortion Law |author1=ACLU Iowa|date=May 15, 2018|website=aclu.ia.org|publisher=American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU Foundation|access-date=February 10, 2019|quote=The lawsuit is being filed by the ACLU of Iowa and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America as co-counsel on behalf of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and Dr Jill Meadows. The Emma Goldman Clinic of Iowa City is also a co-plaintiff in the case.}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aclu-ia.org/en/news/aclu-planned-parenthood-others-file-lawsuit-block-iowa-abortion-law|title=ACLU, Planned Parenthood & Others File Lawsuit to Block Iowa Abortion Law|date=May 14, 2018|website=ACLU of Iowa|access-date=May 21, 2018}} On June 1, 2018, Polk County District Court Judge Michael Huppert entered a preliminary injunction which temporarily blocked the law from going into effect.{{cite news|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2018/06/01/fetal-heartbeat-abortion-law-lawsuit-challenge-injunction-planned-parenthood-thomas-more-court/659529002/|title=Judge temporarily blocks Iowa's 'fetal heartbeat' law while lawsuit is resolved|last1=Gruber-Miller|first1=Stephen|date=June 1, 2018|access-date=February 10, 2019|publisher=Des Moines Register}} On January 22, 2019, the county district judge declared the law to be in violation of the Iowa Constitution and entered a permanent injunction prohibiting its enforcement. In holding the law unconstitutional the judge cited the Iowa Supreme Court's 2018 ruling in a challenge to a different abortion restriction in which the state's court of last resort held that "a woman's right to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy is a fundamental right under the Iowa Constitution."{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/01/23/iowa-fetal-heartbeat-abortion-law-ruling/2655252002/|title=Iowa 'fetal heartbeat' abortion restriction declared unconstitutional|last1=Leys|first1=Tony|date=January 23, 2019|access-date=February 10, 2019|publisher=USA Today|quote=In his decision striking down the abortion law, Polk County District Judge Michael Huppert cited the Iowa Supreme Court's ruling last year in a challenge to a different abortion-restriction law. The high court held that "a woman's right to decide whether to terminate a pregnancy is a fundamental right under the Iowa Constitution" in that ruling.}} Anti-abortion proponents said they hoped this litigation created a pathway for Roe v. Wade to be reexamined by the U.S. Supreme Court, but University of Iowa law professor Paul Gowder and other legal experts said that it was almost impossible that it could end up in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, as the U.S. Supreme Court does not review Supreme Court decisions concerning state constitutional questions.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2018/05/01/roe-v-wade-fetal-heartbeat-lawsuit-supreme-court-iowa-republican/442359002/|title=Republicans hope a challenge to Iowa's fetal heartbeat bill will overturn Roe v. Wade. How would that work?|date=May 1, 2018|website=Des Moines Register|access-date=October 29, 2018}}

Anti-abortion legislators have filed legislation to amend the state constitution to state, "that the Constitution of the State of Iowa does not secure or protect a right to or require the funding of abortion."{{cite web|url=https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/publications/LGI/88/attachments/SJR9.html|title=Text of Senate Joint Resolution 9-Introduced|website=legis.iowa.gov|publisher=Iowa Legislature|access-date=February 14, 2019|quote=A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Iowa that the Constitution of the State of Iowa does not secure or protect a right to or require the funding of abortion.}} The resolutions proposing to amend Iowa's constitutions are SJR 9 and HJR 5 which were filed on January 24, 2019, and February 6, 2019, respectively.{{cite web|url=https://legiscan.com/IA/bill/SJR9/2019|title=IA SJR9 - 2019-2020 - 88th General Assembly|website=legiscan.com|access-date=February 14, 2019|quote=Introduced: on January 24, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://legiscan.com/IA/bill/HJR5/2019|title=IA HJR5 - 2019-2020 - 88th General Assembly|website=legiscan.com|access-date=February 14, 2019|quote=Introduced: on February 6, 2019}}

On June 17, 2022, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the state constitution does not protect the right to an abortion.{{Cite web |first=Veronica |last=Stracqualursi |title=Iowa Supreme Court rules state constitution does not protect right to abortion |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/17/politics/iowa-supreme-court-abortion-state-constitution-ruling/index.html |access-date=2022-06-26 |website=CNN|date=2022-06-17}} Justice Edward Mansfield wrote in the majority that "All we hold today is that the Iowa Constitution is not the source of a fundamental right to an abortion necessitating a strict scrutiny standard of review for regulations affecting that right". The court's decision is a reversal of its 2018 ruling, where it found that the constitution protects the right to an abortion.

The U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, {{ussc|597||2022|docket=19-1392}} later in 2022.{{cite web |url = https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/24/politics/dobbs-mississippi-supreme-court-abortion-roe-wade/index.html |title = Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade |first = Ariane |last = de Vogue |date=June 24, 2022 |access-date=June 24, 2022 |work = CNN |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220624141808/https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/24/politics/dobbs-mississippi-supreme-court-abortion-roe-wade/index.html |url-status = live}}{{cite news |last1 = Howe |first1 = Amy |title = Supreme Court overturns constitutional right to abortion |url = https://www.scotusblog.com/2022/06/supreme-court-overturns-constitutional-right-to-abortion/ |work = SCOTUSblog |date=June 24, 2022 |access-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-date=June 24, 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220624142633/https://www.scotusblog.com/2022/06/supreme-court-overturns-constitutional-right-to-abortion/ |url-status = live}} Iowa instituted a 24-hour waiting period for abortions, and clinics lost staff, leading to a 13% decrease in legal abortions in Iowa within a year of the U.S. Supreme Court decision.

In June 2023, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a split decision (3–3) regarding a proposed 6-week abortion ban, meaning that the decision of a lower court not to enforce the ban was upheld; abortion remains legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2023/06/16/timeline-on-iowa-supreme-court-abortion-law-ruling-pregnancy-kim-reynolds/70325858007/|title = Iowa Supreme Court deadlocks 3-3 on 'fetal heartbeat' abortion ban. It won't go into effect.| website=Des Moines Register |date=2023-06-16}}

In July 2023, Judge Joseph Seidlin of Polk County ruled on a lawsuit against the July 2023 legislation that generally restricted abortions to six weeks; Seidlin ruled that based on Iowa Supreme Court precedent, the "undue burden" standard should be applied to this case, and that under this standard, the legislation is "likely" unconstitutional on due process grounds; thus Seidlin ordered the legislation temporarily blocked.{{cite news |last1=Laird |first1=Rox |title=Iowa judge blocks enforcement of six-week abortion ban |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/iowa-judge-blocks-enforcement-of-six-week-abortion-ban/ |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=Courthouse News |date=July 17, 2023}}

In June 2024, the Iowa Supreme Court, in a 4–3 decision, ruled that the July 2023 legislation that generally restricted abortions to six weeks was not unconstitutional based on the "rational basis" standard because it was "rationally related to the state’s legitimate interest in protecting unborn life […] The state’s interest in protecting the unborn can be traced to Iowa’s earliest days".{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Vicky |title=Iowa's top court upholds six-week abortion ban law |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cpd9r9g192lo |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=BBC News |date=June 28, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Fingerhut |first1=Hannah |title=Iowa's Supreme Court tells lower court to let strict abortion law go into effect |url=https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ban-law-iowa-supreme-court-6eb5d7a15748ae532d4cdcdf471d9e1e |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=Associated Press |date=June 29, 2024}} Thus, the Iowa Supreme Court instructed for lifting of the block on the July 2023 law.

File:Number of abortion clinics in Iowa by year.png

{{See also|Abortion clinic}}Between 1982 and 1992, the number of abortion clinics in the state decreased by fourteen, going from 25 in 1982 to eleven in 1992.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RDqXplZptaIC|title=A State-By-State Review of Abortion and Reproductive Rights|last1=Arndorfer|first1=Elizabeth|last2=Michael|first2=Jodi|last3=Moskowitz|first3=Laura|last4=Grant|first4=Juli A.|last5=Siebel|first5=Liza|date=December 1998|publisher=DIANE Publishing|isbn=9780788174810}} In 2014, there were twelve abortion clinics in the state.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/how-many-abortion-clinics-are-in-america-each-state-2017-2|title=The number of abortion clinics in the US has plunged in the last decade — here's how many are in each state|last=Gould|first=Rebecca Harrington, Skye|website=Business Insider|access-date=2019-05-23}} In 2014, 89% of the counties in the state did not have an abortion clinic. That year, 42% of women in the state aged 15–44 lived in a county without an abortion clinic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.es/abortion-access-in-america-maps-charts-if-roe-falls-2018-8|title=This is what could happen if Roe v. Wade fell|author1=Panetta, Grace |author2=lee, Samantha|date=2018-08-04|website=Business Insider|language=es|access-date=2019-05-24|archive-date=2019-05-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524083342/https://www.businessinsider.es/abortion-access-in-america-maps-charts-if-roe-falls-2018-8|url-status=dead}}

In March 2016, there were 13 Planned Parenthood clinics in the state.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestate.com/news/databases/article67953487.html|title=27 states with the most Planned Parenthood clinics|last=Bohatch|first=Emily|website=thestate|access-date=2019-05-24}} In 2017, there were eight Planned Parenthood clinics in a state with a population of 680,659 women aged 15–49 of which five offered abortion services.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2017-planned-parenthood-locations-states/|title=Here's Where Women Have Less Access to Planned Parenthood|access-date=2019-05-23}} In 2023, there were nine Planned Parenthood clinics, but Planned Parenthood said it would close three of them.{{Cite web |last=Sostaric |first=Katarina |date=June 28, 2023 |title=Planned Parenthood closing three Iowa clinics, expanding abortion services at others |url=https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/planned-parenthood-closing-three-iowa-clinics-expanding-abortion-services-at-others/ |access-date=July 12, 2023 |website=Nebraska Public Media |language=en}}

On March 26, 2020, Governor Kim Reynolds expanded upon previous COVID-19 disaster proclamations to halt elective and non-essential surgeries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2020/03/26/iowa-governor-kim-reynolds-daily-covid-19-news-conference-coronavirus/2914636001/|title=Iowa orders additional retail closures, halts elective and nonessential surgeries and dental procedures|last=Richardson|first=Ian|website=Des Moines Register|access-date=2020-03-28}} The following day her office asserted: "[The] Proclamation suspends all nonessential or elective surgeries and procedures until April 16th, that includes surgical abortion procedures".{{Cite web|url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/health/2020/03/27/coronavirus-in-iowa-surgical-abortion-suspended-kim-reynolds-non-essential-surgery-proclamation/2930439001/|title=Governor's office says order suspending 'non-essential' surgery includes halting surgical abortions|last=Rodriguez|first=Barbara|website=Des Moines Register|access-date=2020-03-28}}

In the period between 1972 and 1974, there were no recorded illegal abortion deaths in the state.{{Cite journal|last1=Cates|first1=Willard|last2=Rochat|first2=Roger|date=March 1976|title=Illegal Abortions in the United States: 1972–1974|journal=Family Planning Perspectives|volume=8|issue=2|pages=86–92|doi=10.2307/2133995|jstor=2133995|pmid=1269687}} In 1990, 302,000 women in the state faced the risk of an unintended pregnancy. In 2001, Arizona, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin did not provide any residence related data regarding abortions performed in the state to the Centers for Disease Control.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5309a1.htm|title=Abortion Surveillance --- United States, 2001|website=www.cdc.gov|access-date=2019-05-25}}

In 2017, the state had an infant mortality rate of 5.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.{{Cite web |title=States pushing abortion bans have highest infant mortality rates |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/health/womens-health/states-pushing-abortion-bans-have-higher-infant-mortality-rates-n1008481 |access-date=2019-05-25 |website=NBC News}} In 2010, the state had 23 publicly funded abortions, of which were three federally and twenty were state funded.{{Cite web|url=https://data.guttmacher.org/states/table?state=AL+AK+AZ+AR+CA+CO+CT+DE+DC+FL+GA+HI+ID+IL+IN+IA+KS+KY+LA+ME+MD+MA+MI+MN+MS+MO+MT+NE+NV+NH+NJ+NM+NY+NC+ND+OH+OK+OR+PA+RI+SC+SD+TN+TX+UT+VT+VA+WA+WV+WI+WY&topics=62&dataset=data|title=Guttmacher Data Center|website=data.guttmacher.org|access-date=2019-05-24}} In 2013, among white women aged 15–19, there were 380 abortions, 60 abortions for black women aged 15–19, 0 abortions for Hispanic women aged 15–19, and 60 abortions for women of all other races.{{Cite web|url=https://data.guttmacher.org/states/table?state=AL+AK+AZ+AR+CA+CO+CT+DE+DC+FL+GA+HI+ID+IL+IN+IA+KS+KY+LA+ME+MD+MA+MI+MN+MS+MO+MT+NE+NV+NH+NJ+NM+NY+NC+ND+OH+OK+OR+PA+RI+SC+SD+TN+TX+UT+VT+VA+WA+WV+WI+WY&dataset=data&topics=87|title=No. of abortions among women aged 15–19, by state of residence, 2013 by racial group|website=Guttmacher Data Center|access-date=2019-05-24}}

In 2014, opinion was about evenly split. 52% of Iowa adults said abortion should be legal, while 46% said it should be illegal in all or most cases, according to a Pew Research Center poll.{{Cite web |title=Views about abortion by state - Religion in America: U.S. Religious Data, Demographics and Statistics |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/religious-landscape-study/compare/views-about-abortion/by/state/#views-about-abortion |access-date=June 27, 2022 |work=Pew Research Center}}

In a March 2020 poll by Selzer & Co, 48% of Iowans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases while 45% believe it should be illegal in all or most cases.{{Cite web |last=Coltrain |first=Nick |title=Iowa Poll: Iowans' support for legal abortion slips, but a majority oppose an anti-abortion constitutional amendment |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2020/03/17/legal-abortion-support-slips-iowa-poll-finds/5031643002/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=The Des Moines Register |language=en-US}}

In a September 2021 poll by Selzer & Co, 57% of Iowans believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases while 39% believe it should be illegal in all or most cases.{{Cite web |last=Gruber-Miller |first=Stephen |title=Iowa Poll: Majority of Iowans believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/iowa-poll/2021/09/25/majority-iowans-believe-abortion-should-be-legal-most-all-cases-iowa-poll/5813280001/ |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=The Des Moines Register |language=en-US}}

The 2023 American Values Atlas reported that, in their most recent survey, 59% of Iowans said that abortion should be legal in all or most cases.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-02 |title=Abortion Views in All 50 States: Findings from PRRI's 2023 American Values Atlas {{!}} PRRI |url=https://www.prri.org/research/abortion-views-in-all-50-states-findings-from-prris-2023-american-values-atlas/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=PRRI {{!}} At the intersection of religion, values, and public life. |language=en-US}}

File:Women's March (Iowa City) 01.jpg

Women from the state participated in marches supporting abortion rights as part of a #StoptheBans movement in May 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/05/21/abortion-laws-stopthebans-rallies-set-across-nation-today/3750913002/|title=Abortion rights supporters' voices thunder at #StopTheBans rallies across the nation|last=Bacon|first=John|website=USA Today|access-date=2019-05-25}}{{Cite web|url=https://thepublicsradio.org/article/would-overturning-abortion-rights-turn-back-clock-to-1973|title=Would overturning abortion rights turn back clock to 1973?|date=2019-05-26|website=The Public's Radio|access-date=2019-05-26}} One protest occurred at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa on May 21, 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://thepublicsradio.org/article/would-overturning-abortion-rights-turn-back-clock-to-1973|title=Would overturning abortion rights turn back clock to 1973?|date=2019-05-26|website=The Public's Radio|access-date=2019-05-26}}

Following the overturn of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, Iowa saw protests in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids.{{Cite news |last1=Morris |first1=William |last2=Akin |first2=Katie |title=Anger, 'absolute despair', hope among protesters marching in Des Moines against end of Roe v. Wade |url=https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2022/06/24/des-moines-iowa-abortion-protest-supreme-court-overturn-roe-v-wade-friday-central-academy/7723282001/|publisher=Des Moines Register |access-date=March 2, 2024 |date=June 24, 2022}}{{Cite news |last=Tabick |first=Brian |title=Cedar Rapids group protests Roe v. Wade decision |url=https://www.kcrg.com/2022/07/02/cedar-rapids-group-protests-roe-v-wade-decision/ |publisher=KCRG |access-date=July 3, 2022 |date=July 1, 2022}} During a protest in Cedar Rapids near the U.S. District Court Federal Court House, a truck ran over a woman's foot. The driver of the truck was later arrested and charged with assault.{{Cite web |last1=Campbell |first1=Andy |title=Arrest Made In Truck Ramming Of Protest For Abortion Rights In Iowa |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/arrest-truck-driver-abortion-protest-iowa_n_62f2cd51e4b0db71d8cd02ac |website=Huffpost |access-date=August 9, 2022 |date=August 9, 2022}} On July 22, an anti-abortion rights man was arrested after assaulting a group of abortion rights protesters in McGregor.{{Cite web |last1=Smith |first1=Zachary Oren |title=McGregor man arrested for assaulting pro-abortion rights protesters |url=https://www.iowapublicradio.org/ipr-news/2022-07-29/mcgregor-man-arrested-for-assaulting-pro-abortion-rights-protesters |website=Iowa Public Radio |access-date=July 30, 2022 |date=July 29, 2022}}

In Des Moines, Iowa on July 11–12, 2023, a crowd of abortion rights protesters rallied as the Iowa state legislature passed a 6-week abortion ban, just weeks after a similar ban was struck down by the Iowa Supreme Court. Several abortion rights protesters were escorted out of the gallery by police after heckling the legislature.{{Cite news |last=Bickerton |first=James |title=Women Protest Iowa Abortion Law Inside Senate: 'We're Not Your Breeders'|url=https://www.newsweek.com/women-protest-iowa-abortion-law-senate-not-your-breeders-1812373|access-date=July 13, 2023 |date=July 12, 2023}}

In Des Moines, Iowa on April 11, 2024, an abortion rights protest was held outside the state courthouse while the Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments on a proposed 6-week abortion ban.{{Cite news |last=Fingerhut |first=Hannah |title=Iowa asks state Supreme Court to let its restrictive abortion law go into effect|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/iowa-asks-state-supreme-court-to-let-its-restrictive-abortion-law-go-into-effect/ar-BB1ltHiT?ocid=mailsignout&pc=U591&cvid=d374c507075f4f4d8991495ed3294226&ei=22|access-date=April 11, 2024 |date=April 11, 2024}}

In Cedar Rapids, Iowa on June 29, 2024, an abortion rights protest was held following the Iowa Supreme Court's ruling to uphold a 6-week abortion ban.{{Cite news |last=Bolton |first=Sedrick |title=Iowans rally in 'Solidarity Circle' against 6-week abortion ban|url=https://www.nbcmontana.com/news/nation-world/local-organizations-speak-out-against-iowa-supreme-court-abortion-ruling-organizes-solidarity-circle-planned-parenthood-advocates-of-iowa-newbo-raygun-iowa-abortion-access-fundemma-goldman-clinic|access-date=July 4, 2024 |date=June 29, 2024}}

The Marriage Vow or "The Marriage Vow - A Declaration of Dependence Upon Marriage and Family" is a political pledge created by Bob Vander Plaats, a former candidate for Iowa governor, and the Iowa-based conservative group; The Family Leader, a public advocacy organization affiliated with the Iowa Family Policy Center, that he heads.{{cite web|url=http://www.thefamilyleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/themarriagevow.final_.7.7.111.pdf|title=Marriage Vow|publisher=The Family Leader|access-date=2014-03-18|archive-date=2014-09-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140905012854/http://www.thefamilyleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/themarriagevow.final_.7.7.111.pdf|url-status=dead}} The 2 most notable signatures came from Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann. Rick Santorum was the first presidential candidate to contact The Family Leader after the organization publicly announced the pledge. Michele Bachmann also contacted The Family Leader to sign the pledge, and became the first Candidate to send her signed document to the organization.{{cite news|url=http://caucuses.desmoinesregister.com/2011/07/08/santorum-bachmann-sign-family-leaders-marriage-vow/|title=Santorum, Bachmann, sign Family Leader's marriage vow|last=PETROSKI|first=WILLIAM|date=2011-07-08 |newspaper=DesMoines Register|access-date=2014-03-19}} Although Newt Gingrich did not sign the pledge, he wrote a lengthy letter in which he upheld many of the principles of the pledge including personal fidelity to his wife, respecting the marital bonds of others, enforcing the defense of marriage act, to support a federal marriage amendment, and to oppose any definition of marriage outside of "one man and one woman."{{cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2011/12/newt-gingrich-pledges-personal-fidelity-to-my-spouse/|title=Newt Gingrich Pledges 'Personal Fidelity to My Spouse'|last=Falcone|first=Michael|date=2011-12-12|newspaper=ABC|access-date=2014-03-19}} The pledge was also signed by former Texas governor Rick Perry.{{cite news|url=http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/21/perry-signs-family-leaders-controversial-marriage-vow/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122001305/http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/21/perry-signs-family-leaders-controversial-marriage-vow/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 22, 2011|title=Perry signs Family Leader's controversial marriage vow|last=Travis|first=Shannon|date=2011-11-21|newspaper=CNN|access-date=2014-03-19}}

On September 11, 2006, David McMenemy of Rochester Hills, Michigan, crashed his car into the Edgerton Women's Care Center in Davenport, Iowa. He then doused the lobby in gasoline and started a fire. McMenemy committed these acts in the belief that the center was performing abortions; however, Edgerton is not an abortion clinic.{{cite web |url=http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5395773 |title=Man Crashes Into Davenport Health Clinic |access-date=May 11, 2008 |date=September 13, 2006 |publisher=KWQC-TV |location=Davenport, IA |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100311214609/http://www.kwqc.com/Global/story.asp?S=5395773 |archive-date=March 11, 2010 |url-status=dead}} Time magazine listed the incident in a "Top 10 Inept Terrorist Plots" list.Fletcher, Dan. [https://web.archive.org/web/20090911045511/http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1920898_1920896_1920642,00.html "Top 10 Inept Terrorist Plots"] Time September 8, 2009. Retrieved June 21, 2011.

During an abortion rights protest on June 24, 2022, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa near the U.S. District Court Federal Court House, a truck ran over a woman's foot. The driver of the truck was later arrested and charged with assault. On July 22, 2022, an anti-abortion rights man was arrested after assaulting a group of abortion rights protesters in McGregor.

• Health in Iowa

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