Washington D.C., Jul 12, 2023 / 13:45 pm
Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and other pro-abortion groups are asking a district court to block Iowa from enforcing a six-week abortion ban that Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds intends to sign into law on Friday, July 14.
The abortion groups filed their legal challenge to the pro-life legislation on Wednesday, July 12, just one day after lawmakers passed the bill. Unless the court blocks Iowa from enforcing the law, it will go into effect immediately upon the governor’s signature.
“If this abortion ban goes into effect, it will place an unacceptable burden on patients’ ability to access essential abortion care, especially those who already face systemic inequities,” Ruth Richardson, the president and CEO of Planned Parenthood North Central States, said in a statement.
“Hundreds of Iowans will be impacted in mere weeks,” Richardson added. “We refuse to stand idly by and will fight every step of the way to block this abortion ban and restore Iowans’ rights.”