During Iowa Senate debate on February 19, 2024, Democratic State Senator Janet Petersen offered an amendment to a bill on the "More Options for Maternal Support" program, which directs state funds to crisis pregnancy centers.
Petersen's amendment would require that pregnancy support services be "evidence-based." It also ensures that if vendors offer counseling services, those must be licensed mental health counseling. Third, there would be a "truth in advertising" component, so Iowans would realize this is not a health care provider.
Finally, any ultrasounds administered at such clinics "must be administered by a licensed health care provider."
The bill's floor manager, Republican State Senator Mark Costello, urged colleagues to oppose the amendment. Reading from prepared remarks, he said the purpose of the MOMS program was to fund non-medical services that promote childbirth and make informed decisions about adoption or parenting. The amendment would authorize funding for ultrasound services, which is a medical service.
Costello said that if Iowans are concerned some people are improperly using occupational titles, there are avenues to address those concerns.
The bill gives flexibility to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to run the MOMS program.
Shortly after these remarks, Republicans voted along party lines to reject Petersen's amendment. Later the same day, they approved the bill on another party-line vote.
11 май 2024
