Iowa’s near-total abortion ban is in effect. Nonetheless, Iowans are still getting abortions. It’s just harder and more expensive, often requiring travel outside the state.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, hosts Zachary Oren Smith speaks with Iowa Abortion Access Fund’s Lyz Lenz about the crisis unfolding six months after Iowa’s six-week abortion ban took effect. Since July 2024, the number of Iowans needing abortion funding has tripled, with hundreds forced to travel to Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Kansas for care. Lenz argues that while the ban hasn’t stopped abortions, it has made them more expensive, delayed, and dangerous.
Then get some facts on the abortion pill mifepristone, the newest target of Iowa Republicans’ crusade against reproductive rights.
Guests:
– Mica Chase is a resident of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
– Dr. Sarah Traxler is the chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood North Central States.
– Lyz Lenz is the chair of the board of directors at the Iowa Abortion Access Fund.
Support Our Cause
Thank you for taking the time to read our work. Before you go, we hope you'll consider supporting our values-driven journalism, which has always strived to make clear what's really at stake for Iowans and our future.
Since day one, our goal here at Iowa Starting Line has always been to empower people across the state with fact-based news and information. We believe that when people are armed with knowledge about what's happening in their local, state, and federal governments—including who is working on their behalf and who is actively trying to block efforts aimed at improving the daily lives of Iowan families—they will be inspired to become civically engaged.
WATCH: Students at all public Waterloo schools plan walkout to protest ICE
Students at all public Waterloo high schools—East, West, Expo, and the Career Center—planned to jointly walk out of class Friday, Feb. 6 at 12:30...
WATCH: Iowa mobile home residents report bad water, unsafe soil
Residents told Iowa Starting Line about long-term issues with unclean water and soil erosion that has become so serious it's beginning to impact...
WATCH: Privaty equity is raising the rent at mobile home parks
Havenpark Communities owns mobile home parks across Iowa and the country. Residents' rents are climbing. Services are getting cut.
WATCH: Plant closure will be ‘devastating’ for Iowa community
Case New Holland says it will close its Burlington plant by the middle of next year. Workers say it's not because of money—which the company has...
WATCH: Iowa’s economic crash out (PT 1) – Cornhole Champions #46
It's easy to miss what's happening in Iowa when you're scrolling past headlines. GDP down 6.1% in Q1. Soybean markets shipped to Argentina. A $20...
WATCH: Celebrating one year of Cornhole Champions (PT 3) – Cornhole Champions #46
This is one of the last episodes of Cornhole Champions for 2025. We're taking November and December off, coming back in January with fresh ideas....
