Iowa Republicans on Friday released their proposal for abortion restrictions that are the subject of next week's special legislative session.Lawmakers will debate and vote on SSB 1223 next Tuesday when they return to the statehouse. If it becomes law, the bill would prohibit abortion in the state upon detection of a fetal heartbeat.The current draft of the bill, which may be amended before a vote, includes exceptions for medical emergencies, rape, incest and fetal abnormality, according to the Associated Press.The proposed measure is similar to a 2018 law that a deadlocked state Supreme Court declined to reinstate last month, prompting Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds to call for the extraordinary session, the Associate Press reports."Nothing in the heartbeat law would ever restrict medical professionals from fully protecting a woman's life," said Maggie DeWitte, the executive director for Pulse Life Advocates. However, some health care providers disagree. Progress Iowa held a virtual press conference Friday afternoon, allowing several health care providers to share their concerns with journalists. "These government mandates don't really work in real life when we're having to make quick decisions in real-time," said Dr. Jill Meadows, the former medical director for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. Health care providers are concerned about how this will impact physicians involved with maternity health and their desire to work or stay in Iowa. Another concern is the dramatic responsibility doctors may feel they have to have when left with a difficult decision. "If I have a woman who comes in earlier in her pregnancy who's hemorrhaging and her life is at risk, I will not have the time, the personnel, or the resources to try to figure out how far along she is and how quickly her pregnancy could kill her," said Dr. Emily Boevers, an OB-GYN in Waverly. Watch: Doctors and physicians speak out on the risks of an abortion ban in IowaAbortion is currently legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.A public hearing on the bill will start at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in room 103 at the Statehouse. Those who want to speak during the public hearing must sign up on the Iowa Legislature's website.Senate lawmakers have from 9-11 a.m. to caucus. At 11 a.m., the Senate state government committee will consider the bill. Once the bill passes committee, it will be called SF 579 or HF 732 if they go with the House version.Senate lawmakers will reconvene at 4 p.m. to debate the final version of the bill.Lawmakers have until 11 p.m. to debate and vote on the final version of the bill.
DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Republicans on Friday released their proposal for abortion restrictions that are the subject of next week's special legislative session.
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Lawmakers will debate and vote on SSB 1223 next Tuesday when they return to the statehouse. If it becomes law, the bill would prohibit abortion in the state upon detection of a fetal heartbeat.
The current draft of the bill, which may be amended before a vote, includes exceptions for medical emergencies, rape, incest and fetal abnormality, according to the Associated Press.
The proposed measure is similar to a 2018 law that a deadlocked state Supreme Court declined to reinstate last month, prompting Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds to call for the extraordinary session, the Associate Press reports.
"Nothing in the heartbeat law would ever restrict medical professionals from fully protecting a woman's life," said Maggie DeWitte, the executive director for Pulse Life Advocates.
However, some health care providers disagree.
Progress Iowa held a virtual press conference Friday afternoon, allowing several health care providers to share their concerns with journalists.
"These government mandates don't really work in real life when we're having to make quick decisions in real-time," said Dr. Jill Meadows, the former medical director for Planned Parenthood of the Heartland.
Health care providers are concerned about how this will impact physicians involved with maternity health and their desire to work or stay in Iowa.
Another concern is the dramatic responsibility doctors may feel they have to have when left with a difficult decision.
"If I have a woman who comes in earlier in her pregnancy who's hemorrhaging and her life is at risk, I will not have the time, the personnel, or the resources to try to figure out how far along she is and how quickly her pregnancy could kill her," said Dr. Emily Boevers, an OB-GYN in Waverly.
Watch: Doctors and physicians speak out on the risks of an abortion ban in Iowa
Abortion is currently legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
A public hearing on the bill will start at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in room 103 at the Statehouse. Those who want to speak during the public hearing must sign up on the Iowa Legislature's website.
Senate lawmakers have from 9-11 a.m. to caucus. At 11 a.m., the Senate state government committee will consider the bill. Once the bill passes committee, it will be called SF 579 or HF 732 if they go with the House version.
Senate lawmakers will reconvene at 4 p.m. to debate the final version of the bill.
Lawmakers have until 11 p.m. to debate and vote on the final version of the bill.