Meeting Public Comments

Jamie Burch Elliott [Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa & Planned Parenthood North Central States]

My name is Jamie Burch Elliott. Im the Director of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Iowa and Planned Parenthood North Central States. I am opposed to HF 2119. This bill is simply unnecessary. It provides no medical benefit and is simply an attempt to further limit access to safe and legal abortion in Iowa. Medication abortion has been safely and legally used in the U.S. since the FDA approved its use more than 20 years ago. It has helped ensure that patients are able to make private medical decisions, while expanding abortion access. There is overwhelming evidence that medication abortion is safe and effective for virtually anyone to wants to end an early pregnancy, with a safety record of over 99%. Research has shown that providing medication abortion via todays updated telehealth technology is just as safe and effective as care delivered in person; each patient is supported with 24hour access to their care provider for any questions or concerns they may have. Restrictions on mifepristone are at odds with expert medical consensus and serve as another example of how reproductive health care, especially abortion, is treated differently than other types of health care. This puts patients health and lives at risk. Leading medical associations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and American Academy of Family Physicians have maintained that the FDAs longstanding restrictions on mifepristone are not based on medical evidence and do not benefit patients. Medication abortion helps people who lack flexible work schedules, the means to travel, or childcare. It allows people in rural areas that are reproductive health care deserts to access safe and legal abortion care. Medication abortions improve health equity by ensuring that people have access to the care they need in a timely manner. Planned Parenthood believes everyone should have a safe and legal abortion, if and when they make that decision. When abortion bans and restrictions go info effect, people with privilege and means will find a way around them, while far too many people particularly communities of color, women, and people with low incomes will be left with no options at all.