Politics in a Nutshell

Planned Parenthood to close four clinics in Iowa | Iowa Public Radio

Four Planned Parenthood clinics are scheduled to close in Iowa, dealing another blow to our already crumbling healthcare infrastructure. Ames, Cedar Rapids, Sioux City, and Urbandale will lose their locations, leaving only Des Moines and Iowa City with operating clinics.

Protestors Fear Proposed Medicaid Cuts Would Close Newton Hospital

Protestors who gathered at the hospital in Newton are worried that after Zach Nunn, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Randy Feenstra and Ashley Hinson voted to cut $500 billion from Medicaid last week the hospital will be forced to close due to a lack of funding.

Medicaid Payments barely keep hospital mental health units afloat. Federal cuts could sink them. 

The CEO of the hospital in Spencer says 40 percent of the hospital’s psychiatric patients are on Medicaid. Medicaid cuts could have a devastating blow on mental health centers like the one in Spencer when there’s already a severe shortage of mental health beds in the state.

Representatives on the Record

Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks (202) 225-6576

Does Rep. Miller-Meeks support defunding Planned Parenthood? What about the Iowans who rely on the clinics for their healthcare? How many hospitals and doctor’s offices have to close before she addresses the issue? What is she doing to make sure her own constituents have easy access to healthcare and treatments?

Representative Ashley Hinson (202) 225-2911

Does Rep. Hinson support defunding Planned Parenthood? What about the Iowans who rely on the clinics for their healthcare? How many hospitals and doctor’s offices have to close before she addresses the issue? What is she doing to make sure her own constituents have easy access to healthcare and treatments?

Representative Zach Nunn (515) 400-8180

Does Rep. Nunn support defunding Planned Parenthood? What about the Iowans who rely on the clinics for their healthcare? How many hospitals and doctor’s offices have to close before he addresses the issue? What is he doing to make sure his own constituents have easy access to healthcare and treatments?

Representative Randy Feenstra (712) 224-4692

Does Rep. Feenstra support defunding Planned Parenthood? What about the Iowans who rely on the clinics for their healthcare? How many hospitals and doctor’s offices have to close before he addresses the issue? What is he doing to make sure his own constituents have easy access to healthcare and treatments?

Take Action

Volunteer with the Iowa Democratic Party below. Help take our state and country back from the brink of Republican chaos.

Join the IDP at one of the many events being hosted in every corner of the state. See the full list of events by visiting iowademocrats.org and clicking the “Calendar” button in the top right corner.

Night in the Park

When: Tues, June 3, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Where: Main Square in Osceola

Description: An Informal Evening of Introductions, and Conversations Town-Hall Style, with Democratic Candidates for Secretary of State, U.S. House of Representatives and more!

Iowa Senators and U.S. of Representative candidates: Jennifer Konfrst and Sarah Trone Garriott; and Sam Peterman, candidate, Iowa Secretary of State

Music by: Bruce Harris

Liza’s Sushi and Lucky Wife Wine Slushies on site. We also encourage people to pre-order from our fabulous downtown eateries all are walking distance from the event. Just follow the ‘Diggin Downtown’ signs!

Keller’s (641) 414-6235

Iron Horse (641) 342-4351

Sweet Scoops (ice cream and more) (641) 548-7003

Tues in Park June 3rd 2025 - Sandra Baringer.pdf - Google Drive

VAN Training

When: Wed, June 11, 6:00pm

Where: Online

Description: VAN training for new users, and for experienced users that want to freshen up their skills.

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82683380036?pwd=YYHeaFUrYvwgJtspM7tNKjPvErZpkF.1

Note From the Chair

Hey folks! Rita Hart here.

The Republicans’ efforts to defund Planned Parenthood have dealt another blow to Iowa. Four out of six Iowa clinics will be closing, leaving just two clinics in Iowa that offer maternal health care, cancer screenings, and routine check-ups for women. Where will these women go for health care when Iowa is presently 44th in the nation for doctors per patient?

Fifty-seven percent of Iowa counties already don’t have an obstetric facility, and the number of counties qualifying as health care deserts is growing. Planned Parenthood clinics provided valuable services for their communities and now their patients will have to go elsewhere for their care – and that’s only if they can even afford an alternative at all.

The Medicaid cuts Rep. Nunn, Hinson, Miller-Meeks, and Feenstra recently voted for could close even more hospitals and doctors’ offices, as many of their patients who relied on Medicaid would be unable to afford their check-ups or treatments.

Our healthcare is under attack by the very people who are supposed to protect it. If you want to join your fellow Iowans in their fight to kick these representatives to the curb, please call or write the Representatives as suggested above, sign up to volunteer with the Iowa Democratic Party by clicking here and check out our events calendar by clicking here. 

To make the change we all want to see, we need to work together. I appreciate your continued involvement and support of the Iowa Democratic Party.

Our work continues,

Sincerely,

Rita Hart

IDP Chair