Reproductive Freedom and Maternal Health

Iowans value the right to make their own personal health care decisions. Whether it’s access to contraception, IVF, or abortion care, I have always and will always stand up for reproductive freedom. Politicians do not belong in your exam room. 

Iowa continues to be a health care desert, especially when it comes to women’s health. We are 50th in the nation for OB/GYNs. Dozens of labor and delivery wards have closed in communities over the last decade. Attacks on reproductive health care have only made that worse as providers are unlikely to move to Iowa when they are not able to perform their full scope of practice.

Women and girls in Iowa have fewer rights today when it comes to controlling their own bodies. The overturning of Roe, combined with Iowa’s draconian six-week abortion ban, attacks on telehealth, and diminished access to age-appropriate and medically-accurate sex education make it harder for Iowans to thrive. In many cases, reduced access to options for care close to home puts their health in danger. 

During my time in the Legislature, I have fought against all efforts to chip away at reproductive and maternal health care and have called out the repercussions of bad legislation. I will continue to do everything I can to return the right to reproductive freedom back to Iowa women. 

We need to change the balance in the Iowa Senate to ensure attacks on IVF and contraception don’t go any further. I have co-sponsored legislation to codify the right to an abortion in the Iowa Constitution, restore family planning funding to trusted providers across Iowa, and allow pharmacists to dispense birth control without a prescription. 

We also need to do more to support new moms and families. I have co-sponsored and voted for legislation to extend postpartum care to new moms on Medicaid from 2 months to 12 months.