DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa's stricter abortion access law could go into effect as early as this Friday. It all depends on how long it takes the district court to act.
Right now, people in Iowa can get abortions up to 20 weeks into their pregnancy. However, due to a state supreme court ruling, abortion will become illegal once cardiac activity is detected.
Health experts said this typically happens around six weeks.
There are some exceptions. An abortion can still be given in cases of rape, incest, miscarriages, fetal abnormalities and medical emergencies.
But those exceptions still have stipulations.
For instance, rape and incest are only considered valid exceptions when it’s been reported within 45 days to law enforcement or health agencies -- like a family physician.
Also, a fetal abnormality is only counted if a physician determines the condition in question is incompatible with life.
However, not all these exceptions apply once a person is 20 or more weeks pregnant.
After that point, if there’s cardiac activity, the only exception applicable would be either a medical emergency.
The legislation also puts rules in place that physicians must follow.
If no exceptions apply, physicians will have to perform specific testing to check for cardiac activity before considering performing an abortion.
They’ll also need to give the patient a paper to sign acknowledging they are aware of test results and when abortion is illegal.
Documentation of the cardiac activity testing, the results and the signed form will all be retained in the pregnant person's medical record.
Still, even after signing that paperwork, the legislation makes it clear that if a person does get an abortion, they will not be held liable. Only the abortion provider could face persecution, though the language of the law doesn't lay out the potential penalties.