Iowa Bill Regarding the Distribution of Certain Funds for Abortions (HF 236)

HF 236 would direct the department of human services to discontinue the Medicaid family planning network waiver effective July 1, 2017, and to instead establish a state family planning services program.

The bill would require the funds to be distributed in a manner that continues access to family planning services, but are not to be distributed to any entity that performs abortions or that maintains or operates a facility where abortions are performed.

The bill further specifies that the funds distributed may not be used for direct or indirect costs, including but not limited to administrative costs or expenses, overhead, employee salaries, rent, and telephone and other utility costs, related to providing abortions.

Title X Funding

The bill would also require the department of public health to annually apply to the United States Department of Health and Human Services for grant funding under Title X of the Federal Public Health Services Act.

The bill would require any funds granted to be distributed in a manner that continues access to family planning services, but are not to be distributed to any entity that performs abortions or that maintains or operates a facility where abortions are performed.

The bill further specifies that the funds distributed may not be used for direct or indirect costs, including but not limited to administrative costs or expenses, overhead, employee salaries, rent, and telephone and other utility costs, related to providing abortions.

Additional Contracts

The Department of Public Health, beginning with any contract entered into on or after July 1, 2017, would be required to administer the state personal responsibility education program and the state abstinence education grant program to exclude as an eligible applicant any applicant entity that provides abortions, maintains or operates facilities where abortions are performed, or regularly makes referrals to an entity that provides abortions or maintains or operates a facility where abortions are performed.

The Department of Human Services, beginning with any contract entered into on or after July 1, 2017, would be required to exclude from the award of federal temporary assistance for needy families block grant funds appropriated to the department for the community adolescent pregnancy prevention and services program, any applicant entity that provides abortions, maintains or operates a facility where abortions are performed, or regularly makes referrals to an entity that provides abortions or maintains or operates a facility where abortions are performed.

Related Legislation

Based on model legislation drafted by SBA List and Alliance Defense Fund.

Similar to SF 2 and HF 237.

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People

Organizations

• Alliance Defending Freedom — Drafted Model Law
• Susan B. Anthony List — Drafted Model Law