One of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ top priorities faces an important legislative deadline this week. A bill that would let women who are at least 18 get some forms of birth control from a pharmacist without first going to a doctor must clear a COMMITTEE in the Iowa House by this Friday or it’s ineligible for further debate. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, a Republican from Clear Lake who is a nurse, says she and her fellow Republicans in the House haven’t decided how to proceed.
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Upmeyer says she’s concerned women will skip periodic wellness visits to their doctor if they don’t need a doctor’s prescription for birth control.
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Last week, the Iowa SENATE voted to let adult women buy birth control at the pharmacy counter, after answering a series of health-screening questions. The bill passed on a 42-to-six vote.
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