Iowa falls toward the middle of the pack for it’s abortion laws, while some of its neighbors are among the most restrictive in the country for women seeking abortions.
The Hawkeye State ranked at No. 36 on
American’s United for Life’s 2015 Life List. Bordering states Missouri and Nebraska are among the nation’s most-restrictive states, ranked at No. 6 and No. 9 respectively. The organization also ranked other nearby states as more restrictive than Iowa, ranking South Dakota at No. 11, Wisconsin at No. 18, Illinois at No. 24, and Minnesota at No. 30.
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Pro-choice groups also give
Iowa middle-of-the-road reviews, with NARAL Pro-Choice America giving the state a C+ for its choice-related laws. Minnesota received a similar grade from the group, while South Dakota, Nebraska, and Missouri were received F grades. Illinois got a grade of B, and Wisconsin received a D+.
A study by the pro-choice Guttmacher Institute on abortion restrictions by state placed Iowa at No. 30. Oklahoma was ranked No. 1 in the study while Oregon was found to be least restrictive, the Post noted. Neighboring Illinois was placed at No. 32 on that list, and Missouri was ranked at No. 8.
Iowa is among a minority of states that don’t require a waiting period for women seeking an abortion. It also doesn't require an ultrasound or pre-abortion counseling. A parent or guardian must be notified if a minor is seeking an abortion, but parental consent is not required, unlike in 25 other states,
FindLaw said. Abortions in Iowa must be performed by a licensed physician.
Third trimester abortions are prohibited in Iowa unless the mother's life is endangered,
the Guttmacher Institute noted.
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