Meeting Public Comments

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

01-28-2025

Kimberly Laube [Lutheran Family Service]

I am unable to attend the subcommittee meeting in person and instead offer my comments below for consideration. Thank you.RE: CIVIL ACTION IN IOWA WHEN WRONGFUL DEATH OF AN UNBORN CHILD OCCURSDATE: JANUARY 30, 2025SUBCOMMITTEE: FETT, GUSTOFF, AND WESSELKROESCHELLGood morning representatives. My testimony is in favor of HF106 which allows justice to be carried out when a wrongful death of an unborn Iowan occurs. Allowing a party to bring a civil action against a person who has ended the life of an unborn Iowan is consistent with current Iowa law, common sense, and the values of Iowans. Furthermore, it provides a vehicle of justice for those who have lost a precious loved one to intentional or unintentional criminal behavior or negligence.Iowa Statutes currently address the criminalization of ending the life of an unborn child in Chapter 707.8. In that statute, the person who causes the death can be charged with and convicted of feticide, resulting in a Class B or C Felony or aggravated misdemeanors in some cases. Furthermore, when an unborn child is born in Iowa with injuries, civil action is allowable including the suffering of the parents. In the United States, the majority of states, 43, allow at least some access to civil liability in the case of wrongful fetal death. Sadly, Iowa is one of only 7 states that continues to deny justice through civil liability.Unborn Iowa children are precious, especially to their mothers, fathers, siblings, and family members. There is great joy in learning a precious child is growing in their mothers womb, waiting with excitement to feel them kick and move in the womb, the anticipation of meeting them for the first time, holding their hands, and watching them grow and learn. When their lives are abruptly cut short, the anguish of that is not diminished because the child has not yet been born. A family is forever impacted. I thank the Representatives who recognize Iowas current law lacks justice for the families impacted as well as recognizing the common sense and practical change that this would provide in making Iowa laws consistent. Respectfully Submitted,Kimberly LaubeDeputy Director, Lutheran Family Service

01-28-2025

Jane Meggers [none]

The iowa government once again holding science hostage. Read a biology book, educate yourselves about fetal development and stop spreading your ideology full of false facts. Well over half of Iowa women opposed this bill, so don't think you are representing Iowa on this. it's largely white evangelical old men in our legislature reeking havoc on womens' lives.

01-28-2025

Angela Collins

If your goal is to prevent abortions, do not legislate women's bodies. Consequences of the proposed legislation, whether intentional or not, lead to a lack of women's health care, and threatens the health and lives of women and girls. If you wish to prevent abortions, promote factual sex health in schools and support women (and girls, lets be realistic here) financially and socially so pregnant women do not feel the need for abortions. There should be legislation to support pregnant women AND young children AFTER they are born. Don't just punish women for being women. Be better, Iowans.

01-28-2025

Justin Scott

My fellow Iowans, HF 106 is yet another overreach from a legislature that seems more focused on pandering to extreme religious ideologues than representing the diverse and sensible population of this state. A population that is increasingly leaving organized religion behind, precisely because of harmful stances like this.This "Life at Conception" bill is not just cruelit's dangerous. It puts pregnant Iowans, families grieving miscarriages, and those relying on IVF at serious risk. Bills like this are rooted in dogma and delusion, completely disregarding science, reason, and the lived realities of everyday people. Its not about public policy; its about pushing a narrow, extremist antichoice agenda.As a husband who has stood by my wife through the gutwrenching decision to terminate a pregnancy to save her lifeand later, through the devastating pain of miscarriagethis bill is nothing short of inhuman. The added threat of stateimposed forced birth, criminal penalties, and government interference in these deeply personal, private decisions is disgusting and indefensible.Theocratic agendas like those pushed by The Family Leader, The Heritage Foundation, and others on the religious right have no place in our democracy. Its shameful that they refuse to see the harm they are causing. Decisions about pregnancy belong to the individuals involved and their doctorsnot elected bureaucrats (especially far too many men) who have little to no understanding of the complex realities people face.Keep your oppressive, archaic beliefs out of Iowas lawmaking. Keep your theocracy off our democracy. Iowa deserves leadership that prioritizes compassion, science, and the rights of its citizensnot extremists trying to impose their morality from the state legislative chambers.Abortion IS healthcare.Supporting choice IS prolife.

01-28-2025

Ashley Golightly

A womans body is her own, not a government regulated incubator. So now you want to criminalize women who miscarry? You know that science shows miscarriages are caused by broken DNA from men (go ask a doctor, professional, or read a book). We continue to punish women for things out of their control (pregnancy caused by rape and you deny them abortions, or a missed miscarriage that would require an abortion). You dont even offer care for children and women postbirth. If you were prolife, youd start working on legislation supporting children from birth through school, make sure they have the food they need to grow and develop, and provide new mothers the time off and care that they need. STOP MAKING LAWS ON OUR BODIES! If you want to reduce abortions, keep factually correct sex ed in schools and contraception available.

01-28-2025

Emily Akker

I am deeply fearful that if passed, this bill would be used to prosecute women who have miscarriages and families using IVF to start a family. "Small government" needs to keep itself outside of personal medical decisions and the medical care Iowans can receive. Bans off our bodies.

01-28-2025

Penny Carrington

There are a lot of reasons for women to miscarry. And not all miscarriages are safe. While you are attempting to reduce the number of abortions, you are also making it harder for women to get care after or during a miscarriage. Women are dying from lack of maternal care as it is. Look at the scientific studies that demonstrate that the best way to prevent abortions is to provide sex education early and provide affordable, accessible access to birth control. Women don't die from getting sex ed, they die when a doctor is afraid that the miscarriage hasn't gone far enough YET to provide the emergency care she needs to save her life.

01-28-2025

Lenore Holte

I am opposed to this dangerous legislation, which constitutes government overreach and an assault on individual freedom. If passed, it could further endanger women's health. These decisions should be made by a woman and her doctor.

01-28-2025

Chelsea Mumm

Defining an unborn child as beginning "from fertilization" is a thinly veiled attempt to inject medically inaccurate concepts into legislation that will, in effect, strip people of their bodily autonomy and ability to make medically necessary, personal decisions. I urge you to reject this malicious bill.

01-28-2025

Bobbi Newman

House File 106 represents a direct and dangerous intrusion into the fundamental rights of women and pregnant individuals to control their own bodies. Decisions regarding pregnancy and health must remain private matters between a woman and her doctor, not dictated by legislators who lack the medical expertise to navigate these deeply personal and complex issues. This bill not only undermines personal autonomy but also risks turning tragic pregnancy outcomes, such as miscarriages, into potential grounds for criminal investigation and prosecution.Government involvement in such intricate and sensitive medical matters is not only inappropriate but harmful. HF 106 introduces the possibility of unprecedented legal and personal consequences for pregnant individuals, further eroding trust in healthcare systems and forcing doctors to prioritize legal fears over providing the best care for their patients.Instead of wasting resources and time on punitive legislation, lawmakers should focus on advancing policies that genuinely improve the health and wellbeing of Iowans. This includes reducing maternal care deserts, addressing health inequities, and ensuring access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care. HF 106 is a blatant overreach that disregards women's rights, medical privacy, and the critical need for the government to respect the boundaries of healthcare decisions. This bill must be opposed in the strongest terms.

01-28-2025

Gordie Felger [Freelance]

Your "unborn child" is to scince not a child. Your "life begins at conception" is a religious belief to which I do not subscribe. I would thank you to not force your beliefs on everyone else. This bill is not about "protection of life," it's about control.

01-28-2025

Jennifer Cooley

As a healthcare provider in the state of Iowa I strongly disagree with the implementation of this bill. Look at what's happening to women in Texas with a similar bill. Women miscarrying are literally dying due to delays of care because no one is sure if they'll be prosecuted if they treat the patient. The government has no business in getting between a doctor and their patients regarding healthcare decisions. Doctors shouldn't be placed in a spot to be hesitant to provide life saving care. Not to mention the irreparable harm for Iowa couples who need IVF to conceive. This will drive healthcare providers and young people who want to start families out of the state. Fewer people equals fewer tax dollars. Fewer doctors equals less care and substandard care for all Iowans.

01-28-2025

Patsy Martinson

This Life at Conception bill, HF 106, could put pregnant Iowans who may need an abortion, who have a miscarriage or families using IVF at risk. Women's health is a private matter. The majority of Iowans support reproductive freedom.

01-28-2025

Diane Jones

This is a terrible bill. It will prevent doctors from providing the standard of care to women. This will drive more doctors from our state. You are legislators, not doctors. Stop confusing your role. I fear for my daughters and granddaughters of child bearing age. An embryo or a fetus is not a person, a woman is. We are tired of having our rights trampled. Do NOT advance this bill!

01-28-2025

Michael Keeran

I am against this bill. My child came from IVF and after our family endured many miscarriages. My wife could be prosecuted for nature. Thats not ok. Do things that actually help instead of harm women and families. Thank you

01-28-2025

Cheryl Scherr

This is a horrible bill that will have significant unintended consequences. Women could die from miscarriages, IVF could be threatened, and people who desperately need abortions because of various risk issues could also die. If you want to encourage people not to have abortions, teach science based sex education.

01-28-2025

Peter Rose

Please dont pass this legislation, which would have resulted in the death of my wife and many others, depriving us of nearly forty years of happiness together. Practice your faith as you wish but, stay away from imposing it on the majority of Iowans, who vehemently disagree with your religious beliefs and fallacious medical interpretations. Its no coincidence that medical school graduates flee our State. Our governor proposes tuition debt relief to help retain them, while endorsing legislation that encourages them to leave for locations where they can practice their profession without fear of reprisal. She, her Attorney General and you super majority legislators have made incongruity into an art form and believe youre curators of the museum. Most of you arent medical professionals, education curriculum experts nor stewards of our environment so stop interfering with those who are. ENOUGH!

01-28-2025

Connie King

I wish the Iowa Legislature would spend more time on trying to keep children all ready born alive and healthy instead of going after the ultra extreme position of criminalizing a miscarriage or an abortion necessary to preserve the life and health of the mother. What goes on in a woman's body is her business, not the government's. This bill is beyond a bad idea, disgusting and hypocritical.

01-28-2025

Keith Soko [One Human Family QCA]

This bill is motivated by conservative Christians and not science or current health care practices. Ironically, historically in Judaism, the person is protected from birth, not conception, using the same Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament. There are a number of stages of fetal development where you could draw this line. Plus conception is a process, not a moment. This is bad science motivated by right wing lies. Leave decisions to women and their health care professionals.

01-28-2025

Jay Hinkhouse

I'm pretty sure most of the legislators in the statehouse DID NOT GO TO MED school. 60% of Iowans, in a recent survey, are in favor having abortion be legal and that info is between a woman and her doctor. Stop putting your personal opinions in your bills. You're OUT of Touch. btw: I DID go to med school.

01-28-2025

Delynn Brandenburg

Women's healthcare should be up to her and her doctor, not government representatives. We deserve reproductive freedom. This law would make anyone getting IVF, abortion, and miscarriage care at risk of legal action. NO HF 106

01-28-2025

Misty Nay

Yet another bill that has no place on the table. The majority of Iowans support reproductive freedom. We should be listening to healthcare professionals and science. Women, their families, and their doctors should not be bound by legislation on their very personal matters. As someone who has experienced multiple miscarriages and has undergone IVF, this should be the last thing for women in these circumstances to worry about. Vote no.

01-28-2025

Madison Foley

I am very disappointed that this is up for debate. I was born and raised in Iowa and growing up, I was very excited to start a family and raise them in Iowa someday. Now that I am getting into my late 20s, that has completely changed. I feel that I no longer have access to healthcare that would not only protect me, but also protect my future children. Because of this, I no longer want to have a family and I am debating on moving out of Iowa, my home for almost 26 years. I truly hope that Iowa law makers take into account that this is not about them and their beliefs; this is about Iowa women and families as a whole, as well as future generations. Please take into account the large amount of women we have already lost because of the lack of healthcare for women in the United States. The government should not have the right to make laws on topics that should be private and talked about only between those who are directly affected and their doctors. This is absurd and if the future continues on this path, I guarantee that the number of families in Iowa will shrink.

01-28-2025

Ann Tigges

I am voicing my opposition to HF106. I am asking my elected representatives to not move forward with this bill which would bring charges against individuals who lose an unborn child due to a required medical procedure intended to save the life of the mother. Women should not have to live in fear of punishment because they are unable to carry a child to term.

01-28-2025

Stacy Volmer

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the HF 106. I urge you to consider the devastating consequences this legislation would have on womens health, reproductive rights, and medical care in our state.This bill would effectively ban abortion in all circumstances, including cases of rape, incest, or when a pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. By removing a womans ability to make private medical decisions, the government would be imposing extreme restrictions that violate personal freedoms and bodily autonomy. No law should force a person to continue a pregnancy against their will, especially when it jeopardizes their health or future.Furthermore, the "Life at Conception" bill would have farreaching consequences beyond abortion. It could restrict access to invitro fertilization (IVF), limit contraception options, and criminalize doctors for providing essential reproductive healthcare. Medical professionals should be able to care for their patients without fear of prosecution.Legislators should prioritize policies that support familiessuch as expanding healthcare access, improving maternal care, and strengthening social safety netsrather than enacting extreme and harmful bans.I urge you to vote against this dangerous legislation and instead advocate for policies that truly protect and support women and families. Please stand for personal freedom, medical privacy, and the right of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies.

01-28-2025

Alison Jepsen

Our liberties we prize and our rights we will maintain. As an Iowan and an American I take this extremely seriously. Stay out of healthcare, stay out of my health choices, and stop making Iowa a dangerous place to be. I am fully against HF 106.

01-28-2025

Caitlyn Todd

The government has no right to be involved with anything going on inside a woman's body. That is her choice, her right. Women deserve to have at the very least the same amount of bodily autonomy as a dead person. If you can't take organs from a dead person without express permission then you definitely don't have any business dictating what a living woman does with her body. I, along with more than half of other Iowans, fully oppose this bill.

01-28-2025

Rebecca Schultz

Please vote against this bill. Growing up in Iowa, I was raised to believe that people generally know whats best for themselves and its not our place to make their decisions for others. Please keep politics out of our doctors offices, and off our bodies.

01-28-2025

Becky Lancial

I oppose this bill for a myriad of reasons, most strongly for the unintended consequences it will have on women's health. Women who have miscarried should not be required to wait for medical treatment until they are facing death, all because a doctor is afraid of legal ramifications. Instead of legislating women's bodies, please focus on improving women's health systems, access to birth control, and sciencebased reproductive education.

01-28-2025

L. Coffman

KEEP government out of the bedroom... Fett... you state you want to preserve liberty and freedom in Iowa... but just no freedom for women over their own bodies... right? And Gustoff... you state you have a long history of fighting for individual liberties? But not women's individual liberties and their own healthcare decisions... right? But men have zero restrictions for anything. This is all about CONTROL OVER WOMEN... nothing more. Separation of church and state... remember? 99.9% of the responses you're receiving about this OPPOSE! We have spoken! And none of you are doctors or nurses, so stop this hideous bill. Iowa will be a doctor desert so stop, just stop. OPPOSED! REJECT THIS WOMEN HATING BILL.

01-28-2025

Laura Hummelgard

I am opposed to HF 106. First trimester miscarriage is the most common complication of pregnancy. Fifteen percent of clinical pregnancies will end in miscarriages. This is not a fight for life, but a fight against pregnant people unable to carry a pregnancy to term. And to those who do carry to term, take a look at some findings from what an abortion ban looks like Conclusions and relevance: This study found that Texas' 2021 ban on abortion in early pregnancy was associated with unexpected increases in infant and neonatal deaths in Texas between 2021 and 2022. Congenital anomalies, which are the leading cause of infant death, also increased in Texas but not the rest of the US. Gemmill A, Margerison CE, Stuart EA, Bell SO. Infant Deaths After Texas' 2021 Ban on Abortion in Early Pregnancy. JAMA Pediatr. 2024 Aug 1;178(8):784791. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.0885. PMID: 38913344; PMCID: PMC11197445.Not only will HF 106 be putting womens lives at risk, infant mortality will increase in Iowa too. With our already fastest growing cancer rates in the country, this will be a great look for us. Truly, an inspiration to the nationAbortion, handling of miscarriages, and IVF treatments are decisions between a provider and the pregnant person.

01-28-2025

Jonathan Danker

Im against HF 106 for many reasons. Number one, I believe in womans right to choose and should not be interfered by the government. Number Two, this is a very badly worded bill which could lead to a woman being arrested for having a miscarriage. Number Three, This bill could have anyone arrested for anyone using IVF which is the right to have kids. This will further damage Iowas reputation of being nice and this will a lot of lives lost. Do the right thing and reject this bill.

01-28-2025

Rachel Henning

I oppose this bill. It would harm the women of our state by penalizing them for things outside their control, like miscarriages. It would also give others something they should NOT have the right to control a woman's body. There is also an issue with starting things at fertilization as not all fertilized eggs actually implant in the uterus. This bill is wrong and should not proceed any further.

01-29-2025

Lisa Alter

This bill is another attempt for certain religious groups to force their beliefs upon others. A fetus, biblically, is not a person or a life, it is property. Don't give rights to a fetus and take them away from an actual person.

01-29-2025

Brianne Arends

I was born and have always lived in Iowa. In my life Ive seen this state make great laws and Ive seen laws like this one, designed to subjugate women. All women should have safe legal access to abortion and should receive safe gynecological care without worry that the woman or doctor could be held criminally or civilly liable for a miscarriage. There is no greater right than right to bodily autonomy and without this right no other rights can exist. How do women have the right to life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness if their very lives are being threatened by laws like this one? The cost to a womans body, mind, and pocketbook and thus to the economy as a whole is in jeopardy because of forced birth mentalities. Many women cant afford to take six weeks unpaid to recover from an unwanted birth. Instead of supporting an archaic mentality that women should be punished for being sexual beings lets support women and womens health by not supporting legislation like this bill.

01-29-2025

Lindsey Kaib

I urge you to reject HF 106 as it is unnecessary and would open the door to criminalizing pregnant Iowans and providers. Iowa code already provides an opportunity to seek damages for the loss of a pregnancy resulting from an assault, other felony, or other dangerous behaviors. This is an attack that undermines the rights and wellbeing of pregnant Iowans. We deserve better.HF 106 puts Iowans rights, health, and lives at risk. It is a waste of resources and valuable time that you could be using to advance policies that Iowans truly care about such as decreasing maternal care deserts, focusing on health inequities, and making sexual and reproductive health care available to all.

01-29-2025

Shianne Streeter

I am not able to attend this meeting in person. Most women do not find out that they are pregnant until at least 46 weeks gestation. Women deserve the right to have an abortion if they chose before the end of the first trimester for sure. Women deserve the right to have an abortion after the first trimester for medical reason without worrying about getting in legal trouble. As someone who has been raped multiple times, I can tell you that if I would have ended up pregnant from the rape and was not given the option to have an abortion, I would have killed myself. Removing this right will lead to more suicide attempts, death by suicide, and more mental health hospitalizations for women in this state and ultimately nation wide. As people, we should have the right to choose what happens to our bodies without fear of being prosecuted by the government. Changing and removing abortions all together is sickening to me and should not occur.

01-29-2025

Lisa Chisholm

Stop this nonsense. I am past childbearing years, but the future of my loved ones health is on the line. A woman's body and the decisions she makes aren't controlled by the government. I am beyond angry at what this state and nation are doing to women. STOP this now!

01-29-2025

Sarah Dougherty

This dreadful bill is based solely on religious beliefs that most Iowans do not share. And it is punitive and dangerous to women and girls. Why can't the Iowa legislature focus on making life better for the women and children who are already here?

01-29-2025

Jamie Brennan

I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to this bill. I implore our legislators to learn and understand biology and the way a womans body works. Life does not begin at conception. This bill is dangerous. Woman should have the right to choose!

01-29-2025

Diane Momberg-Odom

I oppose this law. Its just one more reason to drive young people from this state, not to mention doctors. We need to concentrate on keeping doctors in this state that will deliver babies instead of driving them away too. This law will make doctors afraid to practice medicine here with laws that could cause them to lose their license just for trying to save a patients life! A womans body is HERS and NO LAW should tell her what she does with it. It is between her, the father, and her doctor PERIOD.

01-29-2025

Elisabeth Norwood

This bill is an overreach and has politics get involved in a medical decision that should be between a woman and her healthcare provider. Pregnancy can threaten a women's health, life, and ability to care for her existing children. Miscarriages happen and no women should have to live through a homicide investigation after a miscarriage. (Yes, that has happened in Iowa). The best way to prevent unwanted pregnancies is to provide medically accurate sex education and access to reliable birth control. It is the height of hypocrisy to claim to be prolife while taking away postpartum medical care and food assistance for women and young children.

01-29-2025

Ashley Madsen

The language is broad, but the intent is clear. This bill sets a dangerous precedent and does not seek to protect lives. It will only endanger them further. You have already severely restricted a woman's options and ability to receive healthcare through the 6 week abortion ban. This broadly worded bill makes no exceptions for miscarriage, accident, emergency abortions, or any other reason why a pregnancy (both wanted and unwanted) may end. This bill strips away all options a woman may have if she has any complications with her pregnancy. You are purposefully using this broad language to further push women into submission and make medical decisions for them. All decisions and treatment options for women and any unborn children in their wombs should be left to the women and their medical professionals. If it is lives and wellbeing you truly care about, you will do more for the thousands of children already living in Iowa who need food, support, free public education, and adequate housing; not dictating women's healthcare. Iowa deserves better.

01-29-2025

Marcy Wilfin

Get out of peoples bedrooms, private lives, and religion! The Bible says life begins with first breath. You dare to contradict? What you believe is your own affair. You do not have the right to dictate mine. Church and state have been and should continue to be separate. This bill is obscene in its determination to put minority opinion as law. Reject, reject, reject this bill!

01-29-2025

Kara Eischen

I write to express my extreme opposition to HF 106. This is a dangerous and overreaching bill. This bill, just like the 6 week abortion ban this legislature passed, will not protect lives. It will endanger and cost lives. HF 106 makes no exceptions for miscarriage, accident, emergency abortions, or any other reason why a pregnancy (both wanted and unwanted) may end. This includes natural reasons that are beyond the control of anyone and reasons that also put the mothers lifeyes, a real persons lifein danger. This bill guts all options women may have if they encounter complications with pregnancy, which are common and can be lifethreatening for the mother, who is a real life person. HF 106 is yet another attempt by this legislature to control womens bodies and lives. It is rooted in radical religious beliefs that directly contradict proven science, facts, and common sense, and have absolutely no place in legislation. All medical, healthcare, and any other decisions about womens bodies should be left to women and their medical professionals. It is not the place of any legislature anywhere to invade the fundamental rights of bodily autonomy and choice that all people, including women, have. Leave womens bodies alone. If the intent of the legislature is to protect lives and promote wellbeing, HF 106 will not do that. If you truly want to protect the lives of children, you will enact common sense gun laws that prevent children from being targeted in their classrooms. You will push forward aid for the many children who need food, free public education, adequate housing, and financial support. You will not rip migrant parents away from their children. You will work to actually address the needs of many, many Iowans who need help now. HF 106 helps no one. HF 106 is a dangerous bill and a flagrant attempt to control women. Iowa deserves better.

01-29-2025

Laura Portier-LaLumiere

I strongly oppose HF 106. I have deep concerns that this broadly worded bill would be used to prosecute mothers who are already going through miscarriage, through no fault of their own, as well as the physicians who are providing them with lifesaving care. This bill also seems that it will prevent people who desperately want to become parents from being able to have a child through IVF. Ultimately, these are healthcare decisions and this is another case of the government inappropriately attempting to control women's bodies. I also believe that, if passed, HF 106 will drive valuable members of our community away from Iowa. There is already data showing that young adults are leaving states with abortion bans like our state's 6week rule. This will continue the brain drain and it will also drive away physicians, while we have a terrible shortage of healthcare providers in our state.

01-29-2025

Amy Perington

The choice to have an abortion should be between a woman and her doctor. This bill is dangerous for young moms like me. If I have another baby and my life is at risk, I could leave my husband alone with our three children. My life should not be valued as less meaningful than an unborn child.

01-29-2025

Catie Rayburn

I write to express my extreme opposition to HF106. This is a dangerous and over reaching bill. This bill just like the 6 week abortion ban this legislature passed will not protect lives. it will endanger and cost lives. HF 106 makes no exceptions for miscarriages, accidents, emergency abortions or any other reason why a pregnancy (both wanted and unwanted) may end. This includes natural reasons that are beyond the control of anyone and reasons that also put the mothers lifeyes, a real persons life in danger. This bill guts all options women may have if they encounter complications with pregnancy which are common and can be life threatening for the mother, who is a real person. HF 106 is yet another attempt by this legislature to control womens bodies and lives. It is rooted in radical religious beliefs that directly contradict proven science, facts, and common sense, and have absolutely no place in legislation. All medical,healthcare, and any other decisions about womens bodies should be left to women and their medical professionals. It is not the place of any legislature anywhere to invade the fundamental rights of bodily autonomy and choice that all people including women, have. Leave womens bodies alone. If the intent of the legislature is to protect lives and promote well being, HF 106 will not do that. If you truly want to protect the lives of children, you will enact common sense gun laws that prevent children being targeted in their classrooms. You will push forward aid for the many children who need food, free public education, adequate housing and financial support. You will not rip migrant parents away from their children. You will work to actually address the needs of many many Iowans who need help now. HF 106 Helps no one. HF 106 is a dangerous bill and a flagrant attempt to control women. Iowa deserves better.

01-29-2025

Carly Ebetino

I am a lifelong Iowan. I love this state. This bill is harmful to every Iowan. Not just women, EVERY Iowan. The fact that I have to consider leaving the state I have called home and have loved my whole life to seek healthcare and a government who listens to me is devastating. I am not a Christian, keep your religious ideologies off my body.

01-29-2025

Brianna Wilson

I am vehemently against this proposed bill. This is nothing but control over women and their right to choose. This is beyond harmful, even to those who long to be a mother but are faced with uncontrollable instances. No exceptions have been laid out and that is beyond scary. Iowa once was a state that I felt safe living in, but I no longer feel that warmth of safety. Iowa needs to listen to all of their constituents, not just the rich, male and religious communities that Reynolds has succumbed to pleasing.

01-29-2025

Colleen Armstrong

Oppose HF 106. How dismissive and dangerous this legislation is to the physical and mental health of women, girls, families and communities. How disingenuous of those supporting this legislation to couch wanting to control women's reproductive rights by using words like faith and protection. The majority of Iowans did not ask for and do not want this legislation. While the legislative majority is trying to legislate from the angle of ignorance, its legislators received a broad Iowa education back in the day and know exactly what this legislation represents and the negative consequences it will bring. End this bad legislation now.

01-29-2025

Andrea Wilford

I strongly oppose implementation of HF 106. This kind of legislation only guarantees less healthy outcomes for females and open season for sexist males to imprison women and girls in cases of miscarriage. Since 1 out of every 3 pregnancies end in miscarriage, this bill does nothing to help life and everything to destroy female health and right to health care after miscarriage. Unfortunately, the resulting lack of health care due to these oppressive anti abortion laws will merely force my grandchildren to live elsewhere. Freedom in Iowa is only for white, conservative males, who also tend to top the lists of sexual abusers and predators. Go figure

01-29-2025

Amanda Jackson

The heart of this bill is to only control women's health regardless of situations of miscarriage, accidents and unviable pregnancies. It is disgusting that this bill only values the potential life of a fetus and not the lives of the women carrying the fetus. Women will be put in dangerous situations if this bill becomes law in Iowa causing doctors and surgeons to pause potential life saving action for Iowan women. This bill will not help create families, it will destroy families as women are denied medical help resulting in potential death of women. As an Iowan woman, I am asking that we do not pass this bill which will result in many Iowans losing their mothers, sisters, and daughters.

01-29-2025

Corrin Smith

Like many other Iowans, I am sick and tired of the constant attempts by members of the Iowa legislature to push their religious convictions onto all Iowans. Pointing right at two members of the subcommittee with that comment. I was taught the USA was founded on religious liberty, I dont recall any exceptions for Republican trifectas.

01-29-2025

Anita Christensen

I oppose HF 106. What is the intent of this bill? The bill is broadly worded and makes no exceptions for miscarriage, life of the mother and other complications that may end a pregnancy. Medical decisions should be left to the woman and her physician. I worry for the young women in my life who may face being criminalized for medical emergencies over which they have no control.

01-29-2025

Lynn Cory

I am requesting that you take a measured and educated approach to women's reproductive health. This is a ridiculously extreme bill that absolutely goes too far. Talk to health care professionals and find out what the real life consequences are to something as extreme as this.

01-29-2025

Erin Ross

Im not able to attend the meeting, but want my thoughts registered. Please do not pass this bill HF 106. Its government overreach, into the bodies of Iowan women. The New York Times published an article, which you should read, about fertilized eggs and tissue development and proved that there isnt a heartbeat at early weeks like we have been led to believe. There is no science proving that life begins at conception. You are projecting the Christian churches teaching upon all Iowans. The Jewish church does not believe life begins at conception. There are many religions you have not considered. We have separation of church and state for a reason. Lastly, please stop creating bills based on womens bodies on behalf of fetuses. You have yet to impose any law for sperm and its use. Please for the sake of all Iowans, families and people, do not pass HF 106

01-29-2025

Jessica Millizer

As an Iowan and a woman this bill is absolutely disgusting. Women have every right to keep their healthcare private between her and her doctor. No business being in that room with all your Christian bias laws. So many innocent women who ACTUALLY want those babies that lose them for reasons no one knows. Do not punish them because their body couldnt house a child. Absolutely disgusting.

01-29-2025

Lenee Lacey

Angela Collins "If your goal is to prevent abortions, do not legislate women's bodies. Consequences of the proposed legislation, whether intentional or not, lead to a lack of women's health care, and threatens the health and lives of women and girls. If you wish to prevent abortions, promote factual sex health in schools and support women (and girls, lets be realistic here) financially and socially so pregnant women do not feel the need for abortions. There should be legislation to support pregnant women AND young children AFTER they are born. Don't just punish women for being women. Be better, Iowans." I copied this because she said it best! This is not right and it's definitely not the right way to get what you want.

01-29-2025

Madison Lacy-Krall

I oppose this!! It is wrong to punish women who miscarry, or have to terminate a pregnancy that is out of their control! I pray this bill does not get passed, for the sake of my two daughters future. We have GOT to keep this from happening!

01-29-2025

Kim Springer

As a woman who had an ectopic pregnancy and as a grandma to several grandkids... this bill is ABSOLUTELY DUMB! How is this fair to thousands of women who have suffered from miscarriage or had to terminate a pregnancy due to severe medical issues or a woman who has a baby suddenly die during carrying the baby. This is so wrong on so many levels. As a nurse... I'm absolutely ashamed that this would even be considered.

01-29-2025

Jami Gander

I would like to oppose the passing of bill HF106! Not only should you be ashamed of this even being an option, but you should be ashamed if you have any women in your life and you support this bill. This doesnt protect anyone in the event of a miscarriage (which happens to a fairly large population of women.) This law doesnt protect women who have medical emergencies and decisions that are medically necessary to terminate pregnancy, those decisions are made to save the mother in those situations. If you want to protect the children so much, lets focus on the children who are already here, alive and breathing. Keep your hands and laws off WOMENS BODIES. My body is not your problem nor any of anyone elses concern. My daughters deserve a better world to grow up in. Maybe start passing laws that are real life problems. Do better!

01-29-2025

Rachel Bauer

This Bill is ridiculous and does not protect the mother in this case at all! Many women have miscarriages and other physical and mental health problems that pregnancy could be an issue for either fetus or mother! How many people do you know that have suffered a loss of a pregnancy or even a stillborn? Should they be jailed for something thats happened naturally for our whole existence! No! Should my healthcare be any of the governments concerns No! This is my body and my right.

01-29-2025

Katina Evans

When will men be held to the same standard as women? When will there a mandate on men and their responsibility for the pregnancy and birth of a child? Its not only women that create the cells that eventually grow into a baby. Many women lose a child through miscarriage to no fault of their own. Many women suffer a loss they never intended to lose. Some women suffer a loss without ever knowing they were carrying a fetus. Many women have suffered a loss at the hands of domestic abuse, but the abuser is not always prosecuted and held responsible. Stop the attack on women and their bodies. Let women and their doctors decide what is right for them and the fetus that may or may not grow into a baby because of the health of the cells, the father and the mother and the genetics. Science should not be political.

01-29-2025

Lydia Richards

HF 106s language as introduced is broad and leaves much to interpretation. I am unimpressed by this halfbaked partisan attempt to mandate a majority partys political and religious fanaticism on Iowas pregnant population. The bills declared lobbyists arguing for include overzealous faith and nonprofit based organizations, while the only healthcare related entity registered is against. Seems clear to me. Please do your job and shut this bill down.

01-29-2025

Susan Olesen

You are establishing governmental regulations for a narrow group of some Christians, establishing rules that aren't not held by all or even most. Jews believe life begins when a baby takes her first breath after birth. Other religions also don't view life as beginning at conception. And besides all that, many abortions occur to protect the life of the mother. Where is her right to life in all of this?

01-29-2025

Kailie Davidson

As a daughter of a mother who lost 3 pregnancies due to miscarriage and another as a stillbirth, this sickens me. As a mother who has lost two pregnancies due to miscarriage, this infuriates me. As a mother to two daughters, this terrifies me. To have the government so involved in women's business they're going as far as to charge women for unintential loss of pregnancies? There are women who try for years with no luck of a successful pregnancy, miscarriage after miscarriage, my best friend being one of them, to think she could possibly be charged one day for conceiving a pregnancy she wanted but unintionally losing it disgusts me. Women deserve to not be in trouble for things their body cannot control (they also deserve to not be in trouble for things they choose for their bodies, but that's an argument for another time).Do better, Iowa.

01-29-2025

Harley Neal

This is absolutely disgusting and so cruel. Our justice system needs to be use for more important matters than a womans body that brings life into this world. A woman already goes through PTSD during pregnancy during birth during a loss of a child and your way of thinking of helper a mother is by charging her with the murder of her unborn child. Thats like charging the family of a victim ( who was killed by someone else) with murder. Like charging a rape victim with rape like they did that to themselves. Absolutely outrageous. Lets just take womens rights away completely right?

01-29-2025

Mary Corsair

This bill does not appear to be well thought through. It could potentially punish people who, through no fault of their own, suffer a miscarriage or problem pregnancy. The very act of becoming pregnant automatically puts every woman at risk of becoming a criminal should something go wrong! How are you going to determine if the death of an unborn child was truly wrongful? This is a bizarre piece of legislation and should NEVER pass!! You are endangering the futures of countless women in our state who could face criminal prosecution. Pregnancy is risky and fraught with worries enough as it is, without the fear that they could go to prison if they happen to miscarry, or at the very least, be investigated for potential criminality should they seek health care for their situation. Just stop with the selfrighteous crusade for "life" and have some COMPASSION!! If you want a good example of extremism, this bill is it!!

01-29-2025

Jessica Wolfe

I oppose this legislation. Don't get me wrong I am against abortion with exceptions to incest, rape and if medically necessary to save the mother's life. But I do not think a woman should be charged for a miscarriage or a stillborn for that matter. Those things are not our choice. Those are not things we choose to happen to us, why should we be punished in more than one way? Women should have the right to choose what they do with their own bodies.

01-29-2025

Tinq Antle

Do not pass this, I myself suffered a miscarriage at 5 months along due to a hemorrhage in my placenta, nothing I intentionally caused. I was devastated at the loss of my baby, how can you say I should be jailed because this tragedy happened to me and I then had to have a DNC to make sure everything had passed as to not get infection or die myself. Shame on all of you that agree with this bill! Can you all honestly look at one another and say if this was yourself, your child or a grandchild they should be prosecuted? Miscarriage is the bodies way of naturally removing a fetus when there is a problem! And God knows when that is also the case, so he takes care of it! Stop this Bill from passing

01-29-2025

Tinq Antle

01-29-2025

Shelby VanNordstrand

I strongly oppose Iowa House File 106, as it sets a dangerous precedent by granting legal personhood to fetuses, which could have broad and unintended consequences for reproductive rights, medical care, and legal liability. The bills language is overly broad and lacks necessary legal safeguards, opening the door to potential restrictions on essential healthcare services, including invitro fertilization and miscarriage management.By defining unborn child as a legal person, HF 106 could complicate medical decisions, subjecting doctors and healthcare providers to additional legal risks. This could deter medical professionals from offering critical reproductive care, ultimately putting womens health and lives at risk. Im grateful this was not the case when I experienced an ectopic pregnancy in the 2010s. I was able to receive the necessary healthcare recommended by my doctor, without unnecessary governmental involvement.Additionally, the bills impact on existing wrongful death laws raises concerns about fairness and consistency in legal proceedings. It risks prioritizing fetal claims over the rights of pregnant individuals, potentially leading to legal battles that could undermine personal autonomy and medical privacy.For these reasons, I urge legislators to reject HF 106 and instead focus on policies that support womens health without imposing harmful legal consequences on healthcare providers and families.

01-29-2025

Jacy Jochims Zawodny

Abortion is a fundamental human right, essential to bodily autonomy, reproductive freedom, and the ability to shape ones own future. It is a deeply personal decision that should remain between an individual and their healthcare provider, free from political interference or moral judgment. Forcing someone to carry a pregnancy to term against their will is a violation of their dignity and autonomy, and it disproportionately impacts marginalized communities, perpetuating cycles of poverty and inequality.As a child of adoption, I have a unique perspective on the systems that claim to "save" children. While adoption can be a beautiful option for some, it is not a universal solution, nor is it a substitute for the right to choose. The adoption industry, particularly through agencies like Lutheran Family Services, often operates as a form of "baby farming," funneling childrenoften from vulnerable, lowincome, or marginalized familiesinto a system that profits from their separation. This system rarely addresses the root causes of why parents feel compelled to give up their children: lack of access to healthcare, housing, food, and economic stability. Instead, it commodifies children and perpetuates a cycle of trauma for both birth parents and adoptees.Compounding this injustice, our current administration continues to strip away vital resources like food stamps and WIC, programs designed to support struggling families and children. These cuts disproportionately harm the very communities that are already most vulnerable, pushing them further into poverty and making it even harder for parents to care for their children. It is a cruel irony that while antichoice advocates claim to value life, they simultaneously dismantle the social safety nets that allow families to thrive.True compassion means ensuring that every person has the right to make decisions about their own body and future, and that those who choose to parent have the resources and support they need to do so. Abortion rights and social welfare are not separate issuesthey are interconnected struggles for dignity, autonomy, and justice. Denying either is a failure to uphold the fundamental humanity of us all.

01-29-2025

Tiffany DeBow

I ask that you vote no on advancing this bill. It will hurt couples wishing to expand their families through the IVF process. It also could limit birth control options. You already have a 6 week abortion ban. This is just further control of people's intimate decisions regarding their family plans and it's none of the governments business.

01-29-2025

Erin Kochheiser

This is a huge step backwards and goes against the promise of freedom we citizens of America are promised we have. Women deserve to be in charge of their own bodies and what she does with her boday is between her and her doctor. One in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage naturally. Women who suffer miscarriage or stillbirth deserve to heal and recover not get threatened with a felony by lawmakers who dont understand how a womans body works. Laws based on religion have no place in this country where we are free to choose a religion or lack thereof. There must be seperation of church and state to truly have the life, liberty, and happiness we are promised as citizens.

01-29-2025

Jessica Chrystal

I'm in opposition of this bill.How does this improve the quality of life for women & families in this state? It doesn't. Not a single voter asked for this bill that elected you. Enough with the culture wars and relentless attempts to attack women the last few sessions. It's a embrassing waste of time that this nonsense keeps rearing it's ugly head. It's another solution in search of a problem. Keep your religion & sham science out of state government & public policy and stop using your positions to criminalize women & their doctors!It's weird and disturbing the amount of time Republicans spend obsessed with women's private lives and attempt to strip them of their dignity & personal freedom to decide when & with whom they might have a family. It isn't difficult to figure out why we can't keep OBGYNS and families in this state. Enough with the dumb culture wars & personal over reach into the lives of women.Practice the one golden rule we can all agree onmind your own business and leave your neighbors alone when their choices aren't harming you.

01-29-2025

Rachel Blocker

Strongly oppose. Looks to me like a thinly veiled attempt to establish personhood at conception and futher ban abortion. Seems like this would leave women open to civil lawsuits for ending their own pregnancies, if say for instance her abusive/controlling significant other did not want her to abort. This is clearly not what the people of Iowa want.

01-29-2025

Jody Stetzel

I vehemently oppose HF 106. This decision should be made between a woman and her doctor. This is a deeply personal decision. No one has the right to tell women what they can or cannot do with their bodies. Most legislators are not doctors and should not be practicing medicine without a license. Miscarriages happen as well as fetal anomalies. Women should not be forced to carry a rapist's baby. This legislation is overreaching and will cause more harm than good. Far too much emphasis is on regulating women's bodies. This needs to stop.

01-30-2025

Marissa Flugum

I am the poster child of what can go wrong very quickly in a much wanted pregnancy. Please dont add insult to injury to medical situations you clearly know nothing about. Leave heart breaking decisions to a woman and her provider. Most of Iowa is already a maternal health desert, please dont make it worse!

01-30-2025

Susan Lathrop

I urge you to reject this bill on the grounds of interference with women's health care. Access to needed health care would be compromised as women may be reluctant to seek care in cases of even natural evacuation of the uterus.I also urge more support and care for children who have already been born but are suffering. Let us not forget Jonathan Waller!

01-30-2025

Alyssa Bright

How is it the woman's fault is there is a medical reason or even if there's not? Some pregnancies reach a point where they just aren't viable. Some people can miscarry months into their pregnancy and not know why or what in their body or the fetus that made it to where it could no longer grow healthy? So you're gonna blame the fucking mother when the baby is also half the father? I mean his genes could be what made it happen or a life or death situation for the mother who may or may not already have other kids to take care of and you're going to punish her for the choice to be around for those kids or the choice to not put a new child thru absolute agony due to cognitive or physical deficit?! Wtf

01-30-2025

Sarah Beavers

I strongly oppose HF 106. This is an extreme overreach of the government. Women's health has already been put at extreme risks due to the 6 week abortion ban. Deeply painful and personal decisions should not be up to the government, but should be between a woman and her doctor only. It is an outrage that the bill has even been proposed. Women are being forced to be incubators for babies, even if they are unviable and could kill the woman. When did a woman's life become expendable? When did women's rights become obsolete? Why is there absolutely no accountability for the man's share of a pregnancy? Why are there no restrictions on a men's healthcare?! It's absurd!!!! I am fearful for my own health, as well as every other woman out there.

01-30-2025

Alivia Whitten

This is so fucking dumb! Its sick to think that other people can make any decision for us woman. My question is what does it have to do with anyone else. If people would just learn to mind there own business and not put there own religion In making laws then there wouldnt be a problem. It doesnt effect your personal life then why should you care what other woman do with there bodys. How about we focus on getting foster cares under control first. So many kids go into foster care each year and live as an orphan. How many mothers kids are going to suffer all bc you wanna ban. Abortion. When it doesnt even affect your personal life. Mind your damn business! Woman have rights to there own body. Why arent we punishing dead beat dads that can just walk away and say they dont wanna be in the kids life. Why arent they getting charges?? There are so many single moms bc the dad said oh I dont wanna be a dad I dont want that child but yet they dont get any punishment?? But we arent ready to talk about that!

01-30-2025

Austin Hawkins

Women are not incubators and deserve to have the same bodily autonomy as men. We cannot make rules for this state based solely on the wishes of the evangelical right. This is not a theocracy and women deserve the same bodily autonomy as men.

01-30-2025

Courtney Schuring

I won't be able to attend, but I believe us women who have the babies should have a voice! This should be between the doctor and the patient. Not the government! Keep your hands off our bodies. Unless you want to go thru the schooling like my doctor did, you shouldn't have a say on our medical needs! Stay in your lane!

01-30-2025

Stephanie Warywoda

Im unable to attend the hearing in person but wanted to share comments. Ive had two children from fertility treatments. Ive also experienced a dozen miscarriages and two d&cs d ue to pregnancy complications. Ive been an Iowan for 52 years and and have been a woman as lon as Ive been an Iowan. Iowas current direction with right wing conservative maga extremists is concerning, Iowas direction during this legislative session is going makes families want to leave this state. Its disgusting that a womans body and her rights are being stripped away by the government overreaching, and Christian conservatives forcing their morals on others. Many religions dont agree with Christian teachings which is why citizens of our country have a constitutional right to religious freedom. What the Iowa legislature is doing strips a womans right to her body autonomy is wrong. Please stop tormenting women. Our bodies are not here for you to legislate!! What youre trying to implement is horribly wrong and discounts womens humanity. Please stop this nonsense and vote to allow women the right to their own bodies. Vote no to HF106

01-30-2025

Andrea Hall

This absolutely must not pass and your constituents will remember who supported this bill. This would put so many living, breathing Iowans lives at risk. People will modify their future plans if this bill passes leading to massive outmigration of productive and lawabiding Iowans or decisions by great future/potential parents to not have children. For the future of your own careers (and far more importantly the future of Iowans and Iowa) you must oppose this bill.

01-30-2025

Claudia Tillman

This is a horribly dangerous bill! The majority of Iowans do NOT need or want this intrusion into their personal lives! Being pregnant and giving birth can be filled with innumerable situations that cannot possibly fall into black and white laws. Every situation is different and requires the care of medical professionals, NOT legislators! If you truly want to be prolife, then design laws that require employers to give pregnant employees paid time off to have regular obgyn visits, provide women with free rides to their appointments (since most are in a medical desert), provide new babies with free food and supplies for their first year, provide child care for those wishing to return to the labor force show that you actually CARE about the living! Remember that we live in a DEMOCRACY, not a theocracy religion should not drive this bill.

01-30-2025

Claire Roush

I strongly oppose HF 106. This bill is dangerous, intentionally vague, and is a huge overreach. The sponsors of this bill are mostly men. Why are men in the Iowa House sponsoring a bill with such vague language, with a potentially disastrous impact to the lives of not only women, but Iowans of every sort? The majority of women, the majority of Iowans, are not supportive of this bill. This is in blatant disregard of what is backed by science, what is ethical, and what constituents want and need. Iowa needs leadership and legislatures that prioritize what is right, what is ethical, what is compassionate, and what is respectful of the rights of the people.

01-30-2025

Kael Christensen

I oppose this bill. The definition of unborn for which it imposes the punishments is too broad. And, the act is likely hoping to punish those who assist with abortions, rather than punish those who wrongfully cause the death or injury of an unborn.