For Immediate Release: July 29, 2024
Contact: [email protected]
Thousands of Unborn Children Are Now Protected in Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa – Starting today, the lives of babies with beating hearts are now protected in Iowa. In June, the state Supreme Court issued a decision on the Fetal Heartbeat Act to send the case back to the lower courts and lift an injunction on the law. In the majority opinion, justices dealt a blow to Planned Parenthood in declaring the court has not previously made a determination “whether the Iowa Constitution provided an independent right to obtain an abortion.”
Iowa is the 18th state with a law in effect protecting unborn children who have a heartbeat. The law is estimated to protect 2,093 lives annually.
Neesha Lewis, a Georgia mom and medical professional, celebrated Iowa’s heartbeat law taking effect. When she became unexpectedly pregnant, she called to schedule an abortion but was told her state had a heartbeat limit. Through a friend at church, she was connected with a pregnancy center and pursued an open adoption. She says she is thankful the Georgia heartbeat law was in place.
“I am so happy that babies in Iowa will now be protected by a heartbeat law. Georgia’s heartbeat law saved my beautiful son’s life, and now in Iowa, more babies like mine will be given the chance at life. I know firsthand that an unplanned pregnancy can be scary, but there is help out there for mothers like me who need support and care before, during and after birth.”
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser also celebrated the win for life:
“Today is a historic day for Iowa where babies with beating hearts are now protected. Though the abortion lobby’s heartless efforts to legalize second- and third-trimester abortion will continue, we have reason to hope that this progress in the great human rights struggle of our time will not be undone. Under Gov. Kim Reynolds, Iowa is building a culture of life by increasing support to moms and families through Thrive Iowa and the MOMS Program. More precious babies will live because of this law, more mothers will be supported, and Iowa will be an even better place with the inclusion of these boys and girls who will grow up to be teachers, farmers, entrepreneurs and first responders.
“We thank Gov. Kim Reynolds, Attorney General Brenna Bird, and legislators for persisting in the fight for life and representing the people’s will to protect babies with a heartbeat.”
According to the Charlotte Lozier Institute, once a heartbeat is detected, babies have over a 90% chance of surviving.
Gov. Reynolds signed more pro-life legislation into law this year adding to the state’s safety net for those with unplanned pregnancies. The new measures include SF 2251 which extends Medicaid for new mothers to the first full year after giving birth and SF 2252 which allows the Department of Health and Human Services to partner directly with pregnancy resource centers to support pregnant women and new mothers.
In June of 2023, the Iowa Supreme Court prevented the state’s pre-Dobbs heartbeat protection from taking effect. Following the ruling, Gov. Kim Reynolds called a special session to pass a new heartbeat law. Days after Reynolds signed the Fetal Heartbeat Act, a judge blocked the protection with an injunction.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.
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