Idaho Republican to doctor: Can a woman swallow a camera for a pregnancy exam?

Daily Kos Staff

Monday February 23, 2015 · 4:39 PM PST

2015/02/23 · 16:39

Idaho state Rep. Vincent Barbieri managed to make himself internet famous on Monday, asking a truly incredible question at a legislative hearing on a bill that would ban doctors from prescribing abortion-inducing medication after conducting a remote exam with a patient via webcam. One of the witnesses was a physician, Julie Madsen, whom Barbieri interrogated in tragicomic fashion.

We could mention here that he's a Republican, but you'd figure that out just as soon as you listen to the exchange below:

YouTube Video

Barbieri: You mentioned the risk of colonoscopy. Can that be done by drugs?

Madsen: Mr. Chairman, Rep. Barbieri, it cannot be done by drugs. It can, however, be done remotely, where you swallow a pill, and this pill has a little camera, and it makes its way through your intestines, and those images are uploaded to a doctor who's often thousands of miles away, who then interprets that.

Barbieri: Follow up, Mr. Chairman.

Chair: Rep. Barbieri.

Barbieri: Can this same procedure then be done in a pregnancy? Swallowing a camera and helping the doctor determine what the situation is, with the …

Madsen: Mr. Chairman and Representative, it cannot be done in pregnancy simply because when you swallow a pill, it would not end up in the vagina.

[laughter]

Barbieri: Fascinating! That certainly makes sense, doctor.

Yes, yes it certainly does.

Idaho Republican to doctor: Can a woman swallow a camera for a pregnancy exam?

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