Iowa Abortion-Ban Exceptions Won’t Solve Women’s Healthcare Crisis
On Monday, a stringent law restricting abortions will come into effect in Iowa, thanks to the unyielding persistence of the state’s Republicans led by Governor Kim Reynolds. This law, backed by a reconstituted Iowa Legislature and the courts, prohibits abortion once the detection of cardiac activity in the fetus becomes possible, usually within six weeks of a woman’s last menstrual period.
How the Exceptions Fall Short
While there are five exceptions recognized under the new law, survivors of rape and incest will face a mandatory reporting period of 45 and 140 days respectively, to seek potential abortion options. The requirements do not end there; physicians must also assess and verify the credibility of the survivor’s account, a provision that stretches beyond the traditional patient-caregiver role. With current statistics hinting towards a steep number of unreported assault cases, these provisions may further discourage survivors from seeking help, undercutting victim autonomy to deal with the aftermath of these heinous violations.
Fear and Ambiguity: Concerns over the Fetal Abnormality Exception
This law also recognizes the allowance of abortions in situations where a medical physician believes that the chances of the fetus surviving outside the womb are negligible. The lack of clear definition concerning what instances qualify under these circumstances not just adds to the physician’s apprehension due to potential legal repercussions but forces the patients to revisit their suffering repeatedly during the procedure.
Medical Emergency Provisions: More Questions than Answers
The law also seeks to provide leeway in every circumstance when abortion becomes necessary to either save the mother’s life or to prevent a substantial and irreversible impairment of a woman’s major bodily function. However, determining this exception’s applicability is equally murky, leading to catastrophic implications for doctors and pregnant women. For instance, determining whether a condition like sepsis that evolves over time is considered a medical emergency right away or not until severe organ failure occurs is left to personal judgment, potentially implicating the physician.
Impending Abortion-Ban Consequences
An alarming conjecture ensuing from these strict abortion laws can be the reluctance of existing and potential OB-GYNs in setting up their practice in Iowa, making an already challenging scenario worse for women seeking reproductive healthcare, particularly in rural Iowa. It might become increasingly difficult, if not impossible, for women to find local care due to the risk of professional persecution involved for the physicians.
The Road Ahead
While ongoing court battles surrounding this law are far from over, real change that aligns with the interests of women may only materialize if the Iowa Legislature reconsiders its stance on the abortion ban. Adhering to this law overlooks the fundamental women’s rights to personal autonomy and safety, contrary to the popular opinion of the Iowan voters. However, the immediate tangible implications of these laws stand to violate human dignity and could potentially jeopardize maternal health, making it crucial to address the crisis on an urgent basis.
