Senate approves abortion measure that differs from House approach

The Democratically led Iowa Senate passed a bill Monday designed to curb late-term abortions performed in Iowa that critics said was a flawed political document that would not achieve it's intended end.

On a 26-23 party-line vote, senators voted to approve legislation that only would allow a “specialized outpatient surgical facility” to be granted a state certificate of need if it was located in “close proximity” to the five hospitals in Iowa – in Cedar Rapids, Davenport, Des Moines and Iowa City -- that are qualified neonatology centers. Backers said Senate File 534 effectively would stop Nebraska Dr. LeRoy Carhart within constitutional bounds from proceeding with plans to open a clinic in Council Bluffs, where he would support late-term abortions.

Critics countered that the Senate should instead send Gov. Terry Branstad House File 657, which passed 60-39 in March, that would ban abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy and prevent Iowa from becoming what Sen. Kent Sorenson, R-Indianola, described as the “late-term abortion Mecca of the Midwest.” They predicted the Senate-approved version would not be taken up by the GOP-run House in the waning days of the 2011 legislative session.

“This bill saddens me. This does not protect lives,” said Sen. Roby Smith, R-Davenport, one of 23 GOP senators who cast no votes.

However, Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said the Senate approach would meet both chambers' shared objective without placing undo or unconstitutional burdens on medical procedures performed in Iowa.