Male Legislator Asks If Swallowed Camera Could Be Used for Gynecology

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This has stunned me into a near-silence so I'm going to rely mostly on the Associated Press (thanks, Adam):

BOISE, Idaho — An Idaho lawmaker received a brief lesson on female anatomy after asking if a woman can swallow a small camera for doctors to conduct a remote gynecological exam.

The question Monday from Republican Rep. Vito Barbieri came as the House State Affairs Committee heard nearly three hours of testimony on a bill that would ban doctors from prescribing abortion-inducing medication through telemedicine.

Dr. Julie Madsen was testifying in opposition to the bill when Barbieri asked the question. Madsen replied that would be impossible because swallowed pills do not end up in the vagina.

I will try to find a video of the hearing because I very much want to see the expression on Dr. Madsen's face during the time between question and answer.

Maybe he thought it was sonar technology? Trying to come up with something here.


Update: Not sure the video is posted yet, but this 53-second audio clip is almost as good (thanks, @anneymarie). Note the stunned silence following the question, and the hoot of female laughter following Dr. Madsen's answer.

 

Update II: This follow-up post tries to explain WTF he might have been thinking.