20 foot IUD tours Iowa to urge contraception protection

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Television Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Tuesday a 20 foot tall inflatable IUD made another stop in Iowa. After stopping in Cedar Rapids Monday, it was in Des Monies Tuesday. After conservatives on the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago, organizers of the event say they’re worried access to contraception is in jeopardy.

They call the inflatable IUD “Freeda Womb” and they’re taking it to competitive congressional districts across the country. They’re doing this to highlight what they perceive as attacks to access to contraception, and are urging lawmakers to pass legislation to protect it.

Democratic State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott said, “A giant inflatable IUD is ridiculous, but we are living in ridiculous times.”

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade and threats to IVF in other parts of the country, Iowa Democrats say they’re concerned that access to contraception is next.

Lanon Baccam, Democratic candidate for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District said, “Make no mistake. This is the plan that extreme politicians have wanted and have worked for.”

But what threats are these democratic lawmakers seeing here in Iowa?

We asked Trone Garriott, “Can you talk about how access to contraception in Iowa is specifically being threatened? Because Governor Reynolds says she supports over the counter birth control so can you explain how this is more a threat here in Iowa?”

She said, “We have heard from the Governor that she supports access to over the counter birth control but yet we’ve not seen any legislation to truly make it more accessible. Every time something is proposed in our state government, it doesn’t go anywhere.”

Allison Smith with the Family Planning Council of Iowa says they want state and federal lawmakers to pass legislation to protect it. “Protecting contraceptive access is vital for equality, and it is crucial for a person’s health, future, and economic security. Now is the time to stand up for our rights, and ensure contraception remains available to all,” she said.

Democratic State Representative Megan Srinivas of Des Moines says expanding access reduces abortions. “The data shows, that when contraception goes down, the need for abortions increase. So, if we truly want to prevent abortions in this state, as many of my legislative colleagues talk about, we need to ensure contraception is accessible and readily available,” she said.

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds supports expanding access to birth control without a prescription but Republicans have blocked it in the legislature. Reynolds has identified that as a priority for the past few legislative session.

This past session, a bill passed out of a committee in the House, but Republican lawmakers never brought it up for a debate on the House floor.

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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Television-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV or on X/Twitter @ConnerReports.

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