Last week Iowa Department of Human Services Chief, Chuck Palmer, denied a petition from 41 Iowa Legislators protesting taxpayer funding of abortions that were defunded in 2011. Today Marlys Popma, the Chairman of the Board and President of Iowa Right to Life applied pressure on Governor Branstad to reverse Palmer’s decision:
Iowa Right to Life and its board and members are honored to have pro-life Governor Terry Branstad once again serving in this most important state position. Governor Branstad has been a consistent defender of the lives of the unborn during his tenures as Governor and we look forward to working with him to protect the lives of our most innocent and vulnerable.
However, due to the mission of the organization, we are bound to make statements on issues as they pertain to the protection of the unborn and from time to time will find it necessary to disagree with administrative rulings. On August 3, Charles Palmer issued a statement as director of the Iowa Department of Human Services to which Iowa Right to Life takes severe issue
Iowa Right to Life stands firmly beside Representative Dawn Pettengill and the 41 signers of the Petition for Rulemaking delivered to Mr. Palmer. Iowa is currently one of only three states that fund abortions with tax-payer dollars for fetal abnormality. In no way is this consistent with the federal Hyde Amendment and funding for such abortions should be ceased immediately. We call on the administration to act accordingly.