DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The Republican-controlled Iowa Legislature on Tuesday took the first formal step toward eliminating state funding for Planned Parenthood, approving a procedural step for a bill that would mean the loss of millions of dollars in federal funding.
One of the largest meeting rooms was filled to the brink as a three-person subcommittee of the Senate Judiciary Committee took testimony for a half hour from people who both opposed and supported the measure. The two Republicans on the panel later announced they would sign off on the bill, which now heads to the full GOP-led committee.
Under the bill, Iowa would pass up about $3 million in federal Medicaid dollars to create a state-run program that distributes family planning money but excludes organizations that perform abortions. No family planning dollars are used on abortions in Iowa.
Gov. Terry Branstad supports funding the state program by cutting about $2 million from child and family services, a move that would reduce money for preventive programs that help at-risk youth.
Republicans in support of the bill say it would allow the state to distribute more money to rural health clinics, a point that some anti-abortion groups also highlighted.
“We recognize that this provides more women more choices, and so we’re very thankful for you,” said Jenifer Bowen, executive director of Iowa Right to Life.
Suzanna de Baca, president of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, disagreed, arguing the bill would reduce health care access for women in the state. She also predicted it would cause a spike to Iowa’s teen pregnancy rate and increase instances of sexually transmitted infections.
“You are choosing to hang your hat on defunding Planned Parenthood, even though your constituents have made their voices abundantly clear that this is not what they want to focus on during a time when Iowa is headed for a financial crisis,” she said.
De Baca also handed over a stack of papers that she said included the names of more than 5,000 people opposing the measure. She made the gesture surrounded by supporters, including some in pink Planned Parenthood T-shirts.
Turnout for the bill discussion spilled into the hallway, where chants and cheers opposing the bill caused a GOP lawmaker to ask that the door be shut.
The legislation is among several abortion restriction measures expected to come before the Legislature this session, though the GOP effort to remove state funding for Planned Parenthood has been a goal for years. Democrats have previously blocked those attempts, but they’re now in the minority after the Nov. 8 election.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.