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Iowa's Six-Week Abortion Ban Takes Effect, Affecting 1.5 Million Women

Jul 29, 2024, 02:33 PM

Iowa's six-week abortion ban took effect on Monday, prohibiting most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, a point at which many women do not yet know they are pregnant. The law, which includes exceptions for rape, incest, and maternal health risks, marks a significant policy victory for Republicans in the state. Iowa becomes the 22nd state to impose such restrictions since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned federal abortion rights in 2022. The ban has sparked significant controversy, with opponents arguing it severely restricts women's reproductive rights and health care access. Vice President Kamala Harris and other Democratic leaders have condemned the law, attributing its enactment to the influence of former President Donald Trump and his Supreme Court appointments. The ban affects over 1.5 million women in Iowa, with Governor Kim Reynolds praising it as a 'victory for life,' while critics warn of a looming health care crisis.