Abortion opponents alerted Branstad’s attorney

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa abortion opponents alerted Gov. Terry Branstad’s attorney before asking a state licensing board to stop a statewide abortion pill dispensing system.

The Des Moines Register reports Tuesday that the lawyer then attended the board’s meeting and told members how they could quickly consider banning the system.

Activists want to halt a long-distance video system used by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. It lets a doctor in Des Moines deliver pills to patients in clinics around Iowa.

The Register obtained an email showing anti-abortion activist Jenny Condon contacted Branstad counsel Brenna Findley in June before the group delivered a petition to the Board of Medicine.

Findley later attended a board meeting and gave advice differing from the board’s attorney, who urged caution.

A public hearing is set for August.