Iowa House approves abortion funding restrictions

DES MOINES - Iowa House Republicans voted Tuesday night to ban the use of Medicaid dollars for abortions in cases of rape and incest, setting up a showdown with the Democratic-controlled Senate, which has rejected similar language.

The prohibition was part of an amendment to a bill that also could result in fewer taxpayer dollars flowing to Planned Parenthood, although sponsors of the measure said they were not targeting Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, which has 19 health care centers in Iowa.

Rep. Annette Sweeney, R-Alden, wouldn't concede that the Senate would reject her “more encompassing” amendment that addresses “the total health care of women rather than focusing on just one issue.”

But Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, D-Ames, argued during one of the briefest debates on the budget bill, which passed 58-38, that the Legislature shouldn't address the issue at all.

“Each of us has strong feelings about abortion,” she said. “Even if we disagree it is better that each person be able to make her own decision. However I feel about abortion how could I possibly make that decision for someone else? It's not my place.”

Sweeney and Rep. Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, argued that even if the amendment that was adopted 57-37 on a party-line vote doesn't have support in the Senate, it reflects the views of Iowans.

Sweeney also explained she wants to prioritize funding. Under her amendment to the $1.6 billion health and human services budget, tax dollars would flow first to federally qualified health care centers that provide broad-based services. Then dollars would flow to other health care providers based on the level of services they provide, including Planned Parenthood, as long as funds are available.

Similar legislation in Texas prompted Planned Parenthood to sue the state.

The bill that passed Tuesday night in the House would appropriate $1.6 billion from the general fund for the departments of Elder Affairs, Human Services, Public Health, and Veterans' Affairs. That's an increase of $122.6 million from the current funding.