A state board in Iowa that rejected rules to implement one of the Republican-led legislature’s new abortion-related policies, reversed itself and approved the rules. Members of the Council on Human Services still raised concerns that Medicaid patients, particularly low-income women in RURAL Iowa, would not be able to get prescriptions for contraceptives and reproductive health exams. The new policy prohibits Medicaid patients from using clinics where abortions are performed. Kim Spading of Coralville is a member of the Council on Human Services.

As a result of the just-approved rules, not only is Planned Parenthood unable to offer reproductive health services to Medicaid patients, but EVERY clinic associated with UnityPoint as well as the University of Iowa Hospitals are barred from the program, too.
Mark Anderson, a pastor from Waverly who is chairman of the Council on Human Services, says access to contraceptives will be more difficult for poor women in rural areas as a result.

The board plans to draft a letter, outlining their concerns for legislators.