Iowa law requires in-person exams and limits abortion drug dispensing

Before an abortion, a physician must examine the patient in person and screen for signs of coercion or abuse. This applies to physicians performing abortions. If the exam results show a need, the physician must refer the patient to an appropriate health care provider for treatment. The exam and screening must happen before the abortion.

Before prescribing or dispensing an abortion-inducing drug, a physician must obtain signed forms, provide specified information, and explain how to access emergency care. These requirements apply to a physician performing or attempting a chemical abortion. The physician must obtain the federal patient agreement form and written confirmation that the patient was informed about drug-specific risks, recommended follow-up, and possible exposure to fetal remains. The physician must explain how to access emergency surgery for an incomplete abortion, severe bleeding, or other complications. These requirements do not apply when the chemical abortion responds to a medical emergency. This section does not impose civil or criminal liability on the woman. The forms, information, and emergency-care guidance are required before the drug is prescribed or dispensed.

A person may dispense an abortion-inducing drug only in a health care setting, directly to the patient, and if authorized under state law. A health care setting means a pharmacy, clinic, medical office, or hospital. The drug must be given directly to the woman prescribed it. The restriction does not apply when dispensing responds to a medical emergency. A person who dispenses a drug in violation may owe damages caused by the drug. A person subject to specified professional discipline is immune from this civil liability. The woman who receives the drug is not liable under this section. The restriction applies when an abortion-inducing drug is dispensed in Iowa.

Reports to the state include the method used for an induced termination and specified information about some pregnancy losses. These provisions concern information reported to the state health department about induced terminations and spontaneous pregnancy terminations. For a spontaneous pregnancy termination, the report includes whether the patient took mifepristone or misoprostol within the 14 calendar days before the loss. The definition of spontaneous termination covers an unintended loss before 20 weeks; losses at 20 weeks or later reported as fetal deaths are handled under the fetal-death reporting rule. For a spontaneous pregnancy termination, the report covers use of mifepristone or misoprostol within 14 calendar days before the loss.