Iowa lawmakers are considering changes to a state program that offers funding to anti-abortion centers across Iowa after the initial rollout of that program experienced major roadblocks last year.
A House subcommittee advanced House File 2057 , which would remove the requirement for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to hire a third-party administrator to the More Options For Maternal Support, or MOMS, program.
The House Health and Human Services subcommittee voted to advance the bill to committee on Wednesday afternoon, with the sole Democrat on the subcommittee opposing.
“I’m interested in moving this bill forward to increase the discussion among a broader group of our Health and Human Services committee,” said Rep. Michael Bergan, R-Dorchester and chair of the subcommittee.
The program was established by the GOP-led Iowa Legislature to provide state dollars to pregnancy resource centers. Also known as crisis pregnancy centers, these anti-abortion facilities encourage women to keep their pregnancies or consider adoption by offering counseling or donated items, like cribs and baby clothes. Some centers also offer ultrasounds, though these centers are not licensed medical clinics.