A new version of the bill from Idaho Chooses Life to restrict abortions administered via medication like RU-486, rather than by surgery, was introduced this morning in the House State Affairs Committee, after sponsor David Ripley made changes in response to concerns raised by the Idaho Medical Association. Ken McClure, IMA lobbyist, told the committee, “It required physicians to do things which they may not be able to do clinically,” among other concerns. He said, “We approached the sponsors, we approached the chairman and said, ‘We can’t make this work in the real world.’”

“The IMA does not stand here in support of this legislation,” McClure said. “The medical association supports the changes. It has no position on the underlying legislation.” Rep. Vito Barbieri, R-Dalton Gardens, moved to introduce the new version, and his motion passed on a party-line vote.