To the editor:
I am a retired RN and a volunteer and board member for the local Perry Food Pantry. I am writing to endorse Margaret Liston for Iowa Senate District 24, who is running against Jesse Green; Joe Shelly, who is running against Carter Nordman for Iowa House District 47; and Lanon Baccam, who is running against Zach Nunn for Third Congressional District.
Our elected representatives need to put people over politics and work to improve the quality of life for rural Iowa families. Iowa’s government needs elected officials who care about the lack of access for women’s health care.
As a part of women’s health care, Iowa needs advocates to strive for access to reproductive rights for Iowa women. Liston, Shelly and Baccam will work to achieve these goals.
During debates these past several years on abortion, there has also been a lack of attention by Iowa’s governor and legislature on children and family issues. This includes access to prenatal and postnatal care along with healthy and available foods for children, issues of importance to Liston, Shelly and Baccam.
Not to be left out is affordable childcare and public education for all students. These are issues that Liston, Shelly and Baccam also view as high priorities.
In rural Iowa, limited access to women’s health care is a pressing issue — where communities face a shortage of healthcare providers, long distances to clinics and a lack of specialized services. Women in rural Iowa might experience diminished health outcomes due to these barriers.
Iowa faces significant challenges in obstetric and gynecological (OB-GYN) care. According to the University of Iowa, we have the fewest OB-GYN specialists per capita of any state in the nation, with 66 out of 99 counties lacking sufficient OB-GYN care.
More than half of Iowa’s counties do not have an obstetric facility, and a significant portion of women do not have a birthing hospital within 30 minutes of their residence.
According to the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists, Iowa has the fewest OB-GYNs per capita of any U.S. state. That is alarming!
The University of Iowa Medical School has also noted a decline in the number of residents seeking training in obstetrics and gynecology. This decline will continue to exacerbate the harm to women’s health care in the future.
Early voting is available at the Dallas County Courthouse. It is time for new representation for Dallas County. I encourage you to use your voice at the ballot box. Iowa’s elected officials need to listen to their constituents and facilitate positive change.
Pat McPherson
Perry
