Iowa budget looks to clear at 11nth hour minus abortion restrictions at UIHC

[Skidmore]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/30/us-iowa-abortion-budget-idUSTRE75T6MR20110630

Iowa budget deal headed toward adoption
5:01pm EDT
By Kay Henderson
DES MOINES, Iowa (Reuters) - Iowa Republican legislators backed down from proposed abortion restrictions on Thursday in a deal that cleared the way to complete a $5.99 billion state budget hours before the new fiscal year begins.

House Republicans had proposed new restrictions to prevent all taxpayer-funded abortions at the University of Iowa. The compromise maintained funding, while requiring hospital staff to inform pregnant women of other options such as adoption and give them an opportunity to see an ultrasound.

The debate over abortion restrictions was the last issue to resolve before legislators could complete action on next year's state budget plan. Governor Terry Branstad expressed relief.

SNIP

Under rules in place for 33 years, Medicaid patients in Iowa who are the victims of rape or incest, who have had a miscarriage, who have a profoundly deformed fetus or who find their lives endangered by the pregnancy have been able to obtain a taxpayer-funded abortion at the University of Iowa.