DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa abortion providers decided to end their legal battle against the state on Thursday. This decision came after the Iowa Supreme Court upheld the state’s strict abortion law and confirmed that there is no constitutional right to an abortion in Iowa.
The controversial law, which prohibits most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, went into effect on July 29. Previously, abortion was legal in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.
In the past two years, over a dozen states have implemented stricter abortion laws following the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Iowa law was passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature in a special session last year, leading to immediate legal challenges from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa, Planned Parenthood North Central States, and the Emma Goldman Clinic. Though initially blocked by a district judge, the law was upheld by the Iowa Supreme Court in June.
After years of legal battles, the lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed on Thursday. Planned Parenthood, one of the main opposition groups, emphasized the importance of continuing to provide abortion care within the constraints of the new law.
Despite the setback, Planned Parenthood remains committed to ensuring access to abortion care for individuals forced to seek services in neighboring states or through underground networks.
The conclusion of the lawsuit marks a triumph for Iowa’s Republican leaders and anti-abortion advocates who have long awaited this outcome. Governor Kim Reynolds hailed the decision as a validation of the will of the people of Iowa.
As access to abortion becomes more limited in certain states, options such as telehealth services for obtaining abortion pills and traveling to states with more lenient laws are gaining popularity, driving up demand in those areas.
