Iowa’s heartbeat abortion ban officially takes effect, thousands of babies likely to be saved
DES MOINES, Iowa (LifeSiteNews) — Thousands of unborn babies will likely be saved in Iowa now that the state’s heartbeat law has finally taken effect today after years of legal battles.
The law, which Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed in July 2023, bans abortion once a baby’s heartbeat can be detected, which is as early as five weeks of pregnancy.
The governor had signed a similar heartbeat ban in 2018, but the Iowa Supreme Court failed to uphold it in a deadlocked 3-3 ruling on procedural grounds last year, and it never took effect.
However, the court ruled in favor of the new heartbeat law in a 4-3 decision this month in a victory for pro-lifers.
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Last week, Iowa District Judge Jeffrey Farrell ordered that the law take effect today at 8 a.m. Central time, LifeSiteNews reported.
The Iowa Supreme Court, which has a 7-0 Republican majority, had declared in 2022 that Iowa’s Constitution does not include a “fundamental right” to abortion, reversing an earlier pro-abortion precedent.
Unlike some states that have enacted pro-life protections, Iowa does not allow initiated constitutional amendments that could overturn its heartbeat ban.
Conservative leaders celebrated the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the law, which is the strongest pro-life legislation to take effect in the Hawkeye State in more than 50 years, while calling for the state to protect life from the moment of conception.
“Our prayers have been answered!” Pulse Life Advocates said.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America estimates that the heartbeat ban will stop more than 2,000 abortions per year. Iowa reported 3,761 abortions in 2021.
In states where they have been enforced, heartbeat laws have reduced abortions by around 50 percent, as in Georgia, to nearly 80 percent, as in South Carolina.
Iowa’s heartbeat law allows exceptions for rape and incest reported to law enforcement or a health agency, fetal abnormalities allegedly “incompatible with life,” and supposedly life-threatening “medical emergencies.” Direct abortion is always gravely immoral and never needed nor ethically justifiable to save a mother’s life.
Along with Georgia, Iowa, and South Carolina, Florida has also implemented a heartbeat ban. Fourteen other states are currently enforcing near-total bans on abortion, including Missouri and South Dakota, which border Iowa.
