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Statement regarding Iowa Supreme Court Decision

By smaras | June 28, 2024 | Comments Off on Statement regarding Iowa Supreme Court Decision

June 28, 2024   The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) expresses disappointment in today’s ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court, which compromises the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship and jeopardizes the provision of quality health care. On a 4-3 vote, the Iowa Supreme Court voted to lift the injunction on the ‘fetal heartbeat’ law passed during the 2023 special session. The law prevents physicians from providing medically necessary health care within accepted standards of care, except in a narrow set of circumstances.   Today’s decision means the injunction blocking the law from going into effect has been lifted and will be sent back to the lower court to execute the ruling. The law must first be sent back to the lower court to remove the temporary injunction. The court stated, “We reverse the order granting the temporary injunction and remand the case for the district court to dissolve the temporary injunction and continue with further proceedings.”   IMS supports shared decision-making between patients and their physicians, without government interference.   According to data reported by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, one-third of Iowa’s 99 counties qualify as maternity health deserts due to lack of OB/GYNs and birthing hospitals or birthing centers. 1   Government regulation criminalizing physicians for providing evidence-based medical care within accepted standards of care deters physicians from practicing in Iowa and jeopardizes access to high-quality maternal health services. IMS continues to monitor developments resulting from this decision and provide guidance on how this impacts your…

Sara Opie
Director of Communications & Marketing
sopie@iowamedical.org
515-710-5042

Sydney Maras
Communications Manager
smaras@iowamedical.org
515-657-2756

Law Change: ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ Law Takes Effect July 29

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Pursuant to the June 28, 2024 ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court to allow the ‘Fetal Heartbeat’ law (HF 732) to apply, a lower court judge ruled the law will take effect Monday, July 29, 2024. IMS issued this statement in response to the Iowa Supreme Court Decision. Please refer to the links…

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Statement regarding Iowa Supreme Court Decision

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June 28, 2024   The Iowa Medical Society (IMS) expresses disappointment in today’s ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court, which compromises the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship and jeopardizes the provision of quality health care. On a 4-3 vote, the Iowa Supreme Court voted to lift the injunction on the…

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