Iowa lawmakers consider bill to create 'alternatives to abortion' program
Iowa lawmakers are battling over another bill involving abortion.
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa says House File 515 would fund "fake health care centers."
Iowans for LIFE says it would establish "pregnancy resource centers."
The bill language says it would create a quote, "alternatives to abortion program." It says it would provide a "holistic approach to support pregnant women considering abortion," among other services.
Planned Parenthood says it would actually be an anti-abortion organization, posing as a health care clinic, claiming that there's no legitimate requirements for accreditation, board certifications or oversight.
According to the bill, the Department of Human Services would administer the program.
Iowans for LIFE Executive Director Maggie DeWitte said the bill will help families in crisis by providing options other than abortion.
"Let's be clear, abortion is not health care. And this bill is an alternative to that. It's gonna help families in crisis, give them all the options that they need during this difficult decision that they have to make," DeWitte said.
"These places don't provide birth control. They don't provide contraception. They just use scare-tactics, visuals, unsolicited ultrasound exams to intimidate and shame patients," said Jamie Burch Elliott, Policy Director for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa.
Nearly $880,000 would come from the general fund of the state to make the program possible.
There's a paragraph of the bill that is raising eyebrows. It says the program would quote, "Utilize proactive targeted digital marketing using proven search engine marketing techniques to reach pregnant women in real time who are in crisis and actively seeking an abortion."
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa says putting into state law that anyone seeking abortion will be tracked on the Internet is unacceptable and that it's a clear attempt to shame women out of seeking one.
Iowans for LIFE says that this is no different than any other organization honing in on people who need their service, saying the bill overall seeks to support women in crisis, so they don't feel that abortion is their only option.
Planned Parenthood argues crisis pregnancy centers are nothing more than an anti-abortion group posing as medical professionals.
"This bill would fund essentially fake women's health care centers. These centers use harmful and shaming language. It's meant to make a woman feel bad for her decision to have an abortion," Jamie Burch Elliott said.
"They're not only helping the woman, who is determining what to do with her unborn child and her life, but they will walk with that woman all the way through her pregnancy, and beyond," DeWitte said.
The bill was introduced earlier this month. A House subcommittee has since recommended its passage.