(National Right to Life News) On Tuesday morning, pro-life Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed House File 2788, a bill that would outlaw telehealth and mail-order distribution of abortion-inducing drugs in the state.
The House passed the bill on a 58-29 vote on May 1. On May 3, the Senate followed suit, approving House File 2788 on a 30-11 vote.
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Key to the legislation is the requirement that abortion drugs “be dispensed in-person, by a medical provider, thereby outlawing any mail-order or telehealth distribution,” Bridget Sielicki reported.
The measure “requires physicians to provide additional informed consent materials to patients seeking abortion-inducing drugs, including information about potential risks and complications,” Tom Barton reported. “The law mandates that providers screen patients for signs of coercion or abuse before dispensing medication.”
Supporters of the legislation “said the measure would protect women and ensure patients received medical oversight during the abortion process,” Barton added. “Republican lawmakers also argued the bill closes what they described as a loophole in Iowa’s abortion restrictions by preventing out-of-state providers from mailing abortion pills into the state.”
Tweet This: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed HF2788, which would outlaw telehealth and mail-order distribution of abortion-inducing drugs in the state.
Robin Opsahl of News From the States reported that Rep. Devon Wood, who was a primary advocate and floor manager for the bill, argued:
“the bill will also help women in abusive or violent relationships, saying “by requiring in-person screenings, we are giving these women a lifeline,’ as research has found many women seeking abortions are pursuing this medical intervention because they are in an abusive or otherwise unsafe relationship.
Wood went on to say, “I think we really do need to take a serious look at making sure that access to medication like this is not from an unlicensed, unregulated source from who knows where.”
Editor's note: This article was published by National Right to Life News and is reprinted with permission.
