East Idaho Times

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Mike Crapo delivered remarks at a hearing titled “Chaos and Control: How Trump Criminalized Women’s Health Care.”

Crapo began by noting the unusual nature of the hearing's title. “The Senate Finance Committee has never had a non-sitting President’s name in its hearing title, which should tell us all we need to know about the reason for this hearing,” he said.

He emphasized the importance of medical ethics rooted in compassion and humility. “Since its earliest origins, the practice of medicine has been grounded in the Hippocratic Oath,” Crapo stated. He added that providers across the country commit to treating all patients with profound respect.

Addressing specific cases, Crapo said, “Mrs. Joshua, your experience is unacceptable. Fear and ignorance should never drive clinical decision-making.” He clarified that seeking care for a miscarriage is not an abortion.

Crapo expressed sympathy for families who have lost loved ones due to preventable circumstances. “To the families and loved ones of Amber Thurman and Candi Miller, you have my deepest sympathies,” he said.

He criticized the partisan nature of the hearing's title, stating it aimed to score political points against former President Trump. “The Majority’s decision to use this issue to score political points against the former President is disappointing,” Crapo remarked.

Crapo referenced the 2022 Supreme Court ruling that left abortion policy to be determined by states and their residents. He noted that states like Idaho and Oregon have taken different approaches on this issue but stressed that everyone agrees life is precious.

Highlighting expert testimonies, Crapo mentioned Dr. Francis and Ms. Hacker would provide insights into life-affirming care and state abortion laws respectively.

“Abortion is unlike any other policy issue,” Crapo concluded, urging his colleagues to approach the discussion with compassion and humility as guided by the Hippocratic Oath.

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