Rep Bradley needs to ‘walk in her shoes’ concerning stance on abortion

To the Editor,

   While we’re all interested in seeing fewer abortions, I am concerned that Iowa District 66 House Representative Steve Bradley’s extreme views go much too far.

   Bradley voted in favor of House File 732, the co-called heartbeat bill that bans most abortions after six weeks before many women even know they’re pregnant. He even voted against an amendment to that bill that would have exempted girls age 12 and under from having to carry a pregnancy to full term. The confusing language in this bill makes it difficult for doctors to ascertain when they can provide needed services and would require them to interrogate patients on the specifics of rape and incest, intensely personal matters. It comes as no surprise that Iowa is losing OB-GYN doctors at an alarming rate.

   If that wasn’t enough, Bradley co-sponsored House File 510 which effectively makes virtually all abortions illegal from the date of conception with no exceptions for rape or incest. This law would be enforced through lawsuits filed by individual Iowans, pitting neighbor against neighbor. He also co-sponsored House File 146 making it a felony to manufacture, distribute, prescribe, sell, or transfer any abortion causing drugs. Fortunately, these bills were so extreme they didn’t even make it out of committee during the 2023 Legislative Session.

   In my career as a registered nurse, I recall what women (married or unmarried) had to endure to get an illegal abortion before Roe vs. Wade became law. Untrained persons used dangerous and invasive methods that often resulted in mental anguish, financial need, heavy bleeding, infections, sterility, and even maternal death. It’s deeply concerning that 50 years later, I see those hardships being forced upon women again. A woman and her family do not make the difficult decision to proceed with an abortion without a compelling reason. Who am I or any politician who has never “walked in her shoes” to take that decision away from her?

   Abortion is a very emotional topic with room for differing opinions. However, Rep. Bradley’s extreme views are out of step with reality.

Linda K. Thomsen

Anamosa, Iowa