By Jenifer Bowen

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland’s letter by Jill June (“Branstad’s Boast Is an Unfortunate Admission,” Feb. 24) accuses Gov. Branstad of bias with the Iowa Board of Medicine. But Iowa’s Board of Medicine has long revealed its bias by turning a blind eye towards Planned Parenthood’s dangerous abortion experiments on Iowa women.

In 1994 and 1995, Planned Parenthood used Iowa women like guinea pigs to test RU-486 abortion pills. June told the media there were no complications. But an emergency room physician reported at least one woman from Planned Parenthood’s trial almost bled to death. The Iowa Board of Medicine did nothing.

In 2007, Planned Parenthood’s medical director in Iowa perforated a woman’s uterus at Planned Parenthood in Lincoln, Nebraska., causing her to lose over 80 percent of her blood and require an emergency hysterectomy. He was also doing abortions in Iowa. The Iowa Board of Medicine did nothing.

In 2008, again with Iowa women as guinea pigs, Planned Parenthood launched its webcam abortions in Iowa. Without being examined by a physician in person, women are sent home to abort — dealing with excruciating pain, hemorrhaging and disposal of their dead child — alone. In a 2010 hearing, the Board of Medicine had an opportunity to stop this abuse and uphold Iowa law that a doctor must be present for the abortion. The Iowa Board of Medicine did nothing.

Jill June says webcam abortions are complication-free, but a statement on Planned Parenthood’s website suggests otherwise: “During the abortion pill (medication abortion) visit, you must agree — before you start — that you will have an in-clinic abortion if the abortion pill does not work.”

Where does Jill June think women in rural areas, pumped full of Planned Parenthood’s abortion pills, should go for their follow-up surgical abortion or emergency care?

If the Board of Medicine’s duty is to “ensure the safety for the public good,” as June suggests, then Iowa’s board is guilty of gross negligence in its Planned Parenthood cover up.

[Jenifer Bowen is executive director of Iowa Right to Life.]