Concerns about proposed abortion rule changes in Iowa

Physicians who perform or induce would be impacted by proposed rules to amend Iowa Administrative Code 653.13, “Standards of Practice and Principles of Medical Ethics.”

Assumption 1: No fiscal impact to Iowa. After Gov. Kim Reynolds again signed into law an almost total abortion ban, it was immediately challenged. Any court challenge or law suit involves costs whether defending or prosecuting the case. Therefore there have already been fiscal impacts.

Assumption 2: No impact on jobs. A guest column written by 103 physicians explained how the rules will prevent physicians from providing the best and highest standards of care for their patients. By needing to investigate if the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest and gather detailed information about her attack, physicians would become police officers and lawyers. This requirement has nothing to do with providing quality medical care.

House File 732 may have already put the University of Iowa at risk for keeping Iowa’s only OB/GYN residency program accredited. The March of Dimes found a third of Iowa’s counties are maternity care deserts, meaning they have no OB/GYNs, no birthing hospitals or birthing centers. The many requirements listed in the proposed rules certainly gives any doctor pause before deciding to come to Iowa to practice or remain in Iowa as an OB/GYN physician, further contributing to a decline in medical care for Iowa women.

The proposal also states failing to comply “may constitute grounds for discipline,” without explaining what disciplinary action physicians might face. Why no explanation?

Diane Duncan Goldsmith

Iowa City