Iowa 6-Week Abortion Ban Takes Effect on Monday, Jul 29, 2024
Media Contact:
Eleanor Grano, Communications Manager, Chicago Abortion Fund
Email: eleanor@chicagoabortionfund.org (cc: info@chicagoabortionfund.org)
Phone: 312-219-1611
Lyz Lenz, Board of Directors, Iowa Abortion Access Fund
Email: eclenz@gmail.com
Phone: 319-651-8148
CHICAGO, IL – July 24, 2024 —Yesterday, the Iowa District Court for Polk County issued an order for dissolving the temporary injunction on Iowa's 6-week abortion ban. The ban is scheduled to take effect on Monday, July 29, 2024, marking a devastating setback for abortion access in the Midwest and forcing Iowans to travel out of state for necessary healthcare.
Qudsiyyah Shariyf, Deputy Director of the Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF), issued the following statement:
"This ban is a severe setback for the Midwest. We are heartbroken for our neighbors in Iowa. These decisions, like all abortion bans and restrictions, disproportionately harm systemically oppressed communities, including people of color, people with low incomes, and those living in rural areas. The Chicago Abortion Fund, in partnership with the Iowa Abortion Access Fund, is dedicated to ensuring that anyone forced to leave the state of Iowa for abortion care receives the comprehensive support and resources they need.”
"In 2023, CAF received support requests from over 12,000 people from over 40 states, including over 360 people requiring hospital-based complex care through our CARLA program. This ruling in Iowa will continue to increase the number of people forced to travel for abortion care – both due to the devastating impacts of the ban as a whole, and due to the lack of guidance on exceptions and when doctors can act to provide emergency abortion care. We remain steadfast in our commitment to guarantee that all people have access to the abortion care they want, need, and deserve – regardless of who they are, their situation, or their zip code," Shariyf added.
Leah Vanden Bosch, Development and Outreach Director of the Iowa Abortion Access Fund, issued the following statement:
“The upholding of this abortion ban in Iowa is an absolute devastation and violation of human rights, depriving Iowans of their bodily autonomy. Abortion is essential health care that needs to be accessible to all. This ban will harm marginalized communities and puts the lives of all pregnant people at risk. We know a ban will not stop the need for abortions. As one of the oldest abortion funds in the nation, we remain committed to providing abortion care for all Iowans. We are partnering with CAF to ensure that we will continue to do that work. We will not stop. Please continue to stay engaged and support people who need abortion care. By working together, we will continue to take care of one another.”
Overview of Abortion Access in Iowa:
An estimated 4,150 abortions took place in Iowa in 2023 (Guttmacher Institute).
In 2023, 390 Iowans traveled to Minnesota, 370 traveled to Illinois, and 180 traveled to Nebraska to seek abortion care (Guttmacher Institute).
Prior to the 6-week ban, Iowans drove an average of 53 minutes to their nearest clinic. Travel times are expected to increase significantly, similar to trends observed by the Center for American Progress, in Indiana after their complete abortion ban.
CAF’s Partnership with Iowa Abortion Access Fund:
The CAF Helpline is ready to support Iowans. Following the ruling in June, we deepened our partnership with the Iowa Abortion Access Fund to stretch resources to support more people needing to leave the state. Visit the CAF Helpline to complete an intake and receive support.
Since the Dobbs decision, CAF has heard from 465 Iowans, a number expected to rise due to the 6-week ban.
In just the first three weeks of July 2024, as many anticipated the impending enforcement of the ban, we received over 60 support requests from Iowans. This marked a 165% increase in support requests from previous months, despite abortion still being legal in Iowa. We anticipate these numbers will continue to grow following the implementation of the 6-week ban.
CAF has fielded over 20,000 support requests and distributed almost $7 million in direct assistance since the Dobbs decision.
No Increase in Wait Times for Abortion at Illinois Clinics:
In 2023, there were 37,300 people who traveled to Illinois for abortion care (The New York Times).
Independent abortion clinics like Hope Clinic, Family Planning Associates (FPA), Women’s Aid Center, Choices, and Equity Clinic have not experienced increased wait times due to proactive hiring and operational adjustments, unlike East Coast clinics facing over two-week wait times (The Washington Post).
Infrastructure and Support Systems:
Illinois clinics are equipped to manage increased patient volume and can triage care to Chicago hospitals for those requiring hospital-based abortion care.
CAF's Complex Abortion Regional Line for Access (CARLA) program, in partnership with four Chicago hospitals, supports patients needing hospital-based care.
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The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) isn't just an organization; we're a movement. For 38 years, we've been tearing down barriers to abortion care in Chicago, the Midwest, and beyond. We're not just providing funding; we're supporting our callers in accessing freedom, dignity, and autonomy.
CAF offers support for clients seeking abortions including, procedure funding, travel and related needs like childcare, emotional support and logistical expertise.The organization has relationships with 75+ abortion clinics across 12 states, and supports people nationwide. Since the Dobbs decision, CAF has fielded over 20,000 support requests and distributed close to $7 million in direct assistance.
The Iowa Abortion Access Fund was founded in 1978 and raises money for residents throughout the state of Iowa and the Quad Cities. They are dedicated to the belief that the freedom to choose legal abortion should be available to all individuals. IAAF is committed to providing financial assistance and access to abortion services for people in Iowa, including the Quad Cities area, who lack the resources to pay for an abortion.