Senate health budget OK’d; abortion amendment fails

DES MOINES - The presidential campaign spilled over into an Iowa Senate debate on a $1.6 billion health and human services budget.

Majority Democrats characterized Republican amendments calling for random drug screening of welfare recipients and defunding of abortion providers as attacks on women.

“It's time to trust women to make their own choices about their health care providers,” Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said of one amendment that would prioritize public funds to health care entities. Abortion opponents hope it would steer money for women's health and family planning away from agencies like Planned Parenthood.

“It's time to stop the Republican war on women,” he said, echoing a theme of President Barack Obama's re-election campaign.

That was out of line, said amendment sponsor Sen. David Johnson, R-Ocheyedan.

“I'm disappointed in this rhetoric that I'm hearing from the other side of the aisle,” he said. “There's no war. That's become a campaign slogan now.”

His amendment failed 22-25, but one from Sen. Rob Hogg, D-Cedar Rapids, to make people who have been in jail for more than three months ineligible for state welfare aid passed 47-0. It would prevent those Iowans from “double-dipping” by collecting welfare while taxpayers fund their incarceration.

The budget's passage sets up another budget battle with the Republican-controlled House and GOP Gov. Terry Branstad. Senate Democrats propose spending $1.5 billion from the general fund plus $113 million of tobacco revenue. Their plan costs $24 million more than the governor's and $65 million more than the House budget.