The Iowa Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit seeking to overturn a couple of the provisions the state abortion law. Lawyer Alice Clapman of Planned Parenthood Federation of America in Washington, D-C says requiring women to make a second clinic appointment and then wait 72 hours before getting an abortion places an undue burden on all women seeking to get an abortion. She was asked by a justice if a 24-hour waiting period would be better.
The state argues the waiting period allows women to get more information and some change their minds about abortion.
Jeffrey Thompson, the attorney representing the state says the requirement is designed to give women more time to make an informed decision about getting an abortion. He says planned parenthood has not proven the Iowa law prevents women from getting an abortion.
The district court declined to issue an injunction against the two provisions of the law, but the Iowa Supreme Court put them on hold until they could hear the case. It is not known how long their decision may take.
