BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — As Iowa prepares to implement a new abortion ban, Minnesota medical providers and public officials are positioned to assist patients traveling from the neighboring state. The law in Iowa, which restricts abortions after roughly six weeks of pregnancy, takes effect Monday.
On Thursday, Minnesota’s Democratic Lt. Gov. toured Whole Woman’s Health of Minnesota, a nonprofit abortion clinic in Bloomington, expressing support for Iowa residents seeking care in light of the upcoming restrictions.
Previously, Iowa allowed abortions up to 20 weeks of pregnancy. The recent legislative change, passed by the Republican-controlled legislature last July, imposes strict limitations that many women may encounter before they even realize they are pregnant. Exceptions to this new law are narrowly defined, only permitting abortions in cases of rape, incest, fetal abnormality, or when the mother’s life is at risk.
According to Sarah Traxler, an OB-GYN and chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood North Central States, the implications of Iowa’s law are likely to affect not just Iowa but the broader Midwest and South regions.
“The recent changes in Iowa’s abortion law will have significant ripple effects throughout the region,” Traxler noted.
The Iowa Supreme Court confirmed in June that a constitutional right to abortion does not exist in the state, paving the way for the enforcement of the new laws beginning July 29.
Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the landscape of abortion access across the nation has shifted dramatically. Various states have enacted trigger laws, imposed new restrictions, and engaged in court battles regarding abortion access; in some areas, access has even been expanded.
In states where restrictions are in place, individuals often resort to obtaining medication via mail or utilizing underground networks, significantly increasing the demand for services in states with more accessible options.
Whole Woman’s Health of Minnesota has catered to patients from diverse states, including South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Indiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Florida, and Arkansas over the past year. The clinic’s founder and CEO anticipates a surge in demand for services following Iowa’s new restrictions.
Lt. Gov. Flanagan reaffirmed Minnesota’s commitment to supporting individuals traveling from other states seeking abortion care.
“If you are feeling uncertain, come to Minnesota. We’re here for you,” Flanagan stated.
