Democrats in the Iowa Senate foiled an attempt by Republicans to defund women's healthcare and abortion service provider Planned Parenthood on Friday.

In a 27-23 vote, the Democrats passed an amendment to delete a part of the $1.8 billion spending bill that would have prohibited Medicaid health programme funds from going to organisations that perform abortions like Planned Parenthood, LifeSite News reports.

"Distribution of family planning services program funds shall not be made to any entity that performs abortions or that maintains or operates a facility where abortions are performed," the bill states.

The Republican-controlled Iowa House earlier passed the bill.

The Iowa Senate passed a $1.8-billion health and human services spending bill Friday, setting up a showdown with anti-abortion lawmakers in the House who want to defund Planned Parenthood.

Planned Parenthood is the biggest abortion service provider in Iowa.

Under the current law, Medicaid patients can go to Planned Parenthood for contraceptives and reproductive health exams, but funds are not to be used for abortion services, according to KIWA radio.

Planned Parenthood of the Heartland said 26 percent of its Iowa funds or about $2.7 million a year comes from public sources, most of which comes from Medicaid, The Des Moines Register reports.

Republican Sen. Ken Rozenboom tried but failed to counter the Senate amendment, saying Iowa taxpayers who oppose abortion should not be forced to have their tax money spent to fund abortion providers.

"I will ask you to listen to your heart, to listen to those folks who may differ with you on the issue of abortion," he said.

Senate Republicans said Rozenboom's plan aims to spread money to more than 200 clinics in the state.

Democrat Sen. Amanda Ragan said, "Zero state money has gone to pay for abortions in recent years, and that is by working together across the aisle. Currently, family planning saves taxpayers' money, and adopting this amendment could actually cause unintended pregnancies."