A Polk County District Court judge ruled in favor of the Iowa Board of Medicine Aug. 19 and upheld its right to ban webcam abortions in Iowa. The decision is set to take effect in 30 days. Planned Parenthood has appealed the decision.
Ample evidence was presented during the months-long process leading up to the Board’s vote last year that questioned whether providing a chemical abortion following a consultation only by videoconference is good medical practice.
In every case, the drugs that cause a chemical abortion have serious effects. If abortions are to take place, the safety and informed consent for the women involved should be among our chief concerns. The Iowa Board of Medicine did the right thing by requiring an appropriate standard of care.