(The Lion) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed several measures this week, including one restricting access to drugs used for chemical abortions through telehealth and mail-order services.
House File 2788 requires doctors to prescribe abortion-inducing drugs such as mifepristone in person rather than through online appointments or the mail. The law takes effect July 1.
During debate earlier this year, Republican lawmakers said the bill would help stop black-market abortion pills from entering the state.
States across the country continue fighting over access to chemical abortions following changes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration made during the Biden administration. Meanwhile, Iowa lawmakers added more restrictions and safeguards surrounding the drugs.
The law also says doctors cannot classify treatment for miscarriages and ectopic pregnancies as abortions. Supporters said they added the language to avoid confusion and ensure women facing medical emergencies can still receive care. Supporters also said they want to protect the lives of unborn children.
Democrats and pro-abortion advocates opposed the bill. They argued the measure would make abortions harder to obtain in rural parts of Iowa.
Reynolds also signed Senate File 304, requiring parental consent before minors can receive HPV and hepatitis B vaccines. Iowa law already required parental approval for most vaccines, but it previously included an exemption allowing minors to consent to those vaccines on their own.
Republicans said the law respects parental rights and brings the policy in line with other vaccine rules. Democrats argued the previous exemption helped minors who may not feel comfortable discussing sexual activity with their parents.
Reynolds also signed House File 571, known as the Medical Ethics Defense Act, which supporters described as a medical conscience protection bill.
The law allows doctors, nurses, hospitals, insurers and other health care providers to refuse participation in procedures or services that violate their “ethical, moral or religious beliefs or principles.” The measure still requires emergency medical treatment.
Supporters said the law gives health care workers stronger protections when procedures conflict with their religious or moral beliefs.
“At the core of our constitutional freedoms are the rights to speak freely, exercise your religion, and live consistent with your conscience without fear of government punishment,” the Alliance Defending Freedom said in a statement.
“Today, Iowa took bold steps to protect these freedoms in state law. First, the MED Act provides comprehensive protections for medical conscience and freedom of speech for medical professionals throughout the state,” it added. “It prevents nurses, doctors, and other health professionals from being forced to violate their beliefs and their Hippocratic oath to do no harm.”
