Senate panel approves anti-chemical abortion bill
On a voice vote, the Senate State Affairs Committee has agreed to send HB 154, the chemical abortion bill, to the Senate’s 14th order for amendments. First, Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise, moved to hold the bill in committee, killing it, “As it restricts a woman’s access to safe and legal health care and it’s not necessary.” Senate Minority Leader Michelle Stennett, D-Ketchum, seconded the motion.
Senate President Pro-Tem Brent Hill, R-Rexburg, made a substitute motion to send the bill to the amending order. Senate GOP Caucus Chairman Todd Lakey, R-Nampa, seconded Hill’s motion. “I think telemedicine is a useful technology, particularly when you’re talking about having access to a specialist that can’t be in the room when you’re working with your consulting or treating physician,” he said. “But I don’t think it’s appropriate to create greater access to a lower standard of care,” for treatment that “could be dangerous for patients.”
The bill, which places new restrictions on abortions performed by administering medication, rather than by surgery, earlier passed the House; if the Senate amends it, the amended version still would need to return to the House for approval.