The first bill related to abortion was just filed in the Iowa Legislature yesterday. House File 146 would make it a felony for anyone to provide abortion pills in Iowa.
Statement on School Vouchers
Currently the Iowa legislature is considering a bill spearheaded by Gov. Reynolds that would allow for a voucher-style program that sets aside public tax dollars to be used to pay tuition and fees at private educational institutions. The republican majority has taken to calling this policy “school choice” and “providing more options for parents”, but this choice of education does not seem to reflect the situation in the state.
Two Senate Files: Pro Covid, Pro Ignorance, Anti Public Health
Two bills have been filed in the Iowa Senate related to Coronavirus and pandemic mandates, Senate File 45 and Senate File 91. Both bills would make it harder for Iowa to enforce science-based public health measures promoted by the Federal Government.
Senate File 99: An Anti-Vaxxer's Dream
Senate File 99, “an act relating to immunization information requested on a medical examiner investigation form,” is an anti-vax dream.
More Bills Like This, Please
Senate File 51, introduced by legislators who are NOT Christian Nationalists, would require hospitals to prominently post policies related to admission, nondiscrimination, and reproductive healthcare. In other words, they would have to clearly explain on their website policies related to LGBTQ patients, religious minorities, and abortion-related care, among other important matters. Catholic hospitals, in particular, go out of their way to NOT make this information publicly available. They are morally obligated to make this information available, but they do not. This bill would force them to do the right thing.
I do occasionally talk about good bills that should be enacted. I don’t really expect any of them to pass this year.The odds of this bill becoming a law in Iowa approach zero. But it should be the law everywhere.
The thing is, greater than zero means there is still a chance that it will pass. If we all do nothing, then the odds really are zero. Talking about it now can change people’s minds next year in the general election. Don’t give up. We have important things to do and lives to save.