By Representative Mark Sauter
Idaho House District 1 A
(208) 627-6288
As I’ve been campaigning over the last few weeks, people have been asking me some good questions about my stance on women’s health care issues and about Proposition 1 . I want to take a minute to address these questions for everyone.
Several constituents emailed me and assigned me with responsibility for taking away women’s rights to medical care. The Trigger Bills the emails were referring to (SB 1358 and HB 581) were passed in 2022 before I was elected.
Since being elected, I voted yes on a number of bills to ensure women had access to contraceptives and life saving procedures. The bills I supported are:
- HB 374 – Amending abortion statutes (allowing certain medical procedures)
- HB 399 – Reinstatement of Idaho Maternal Mortality Study
- SB 1234 – Expands contraceptive coverage from 3 to 6 months
- HB 633 – Expands post-partum Medicaid care for moms to 1 year.
Our medical community and our moms deserve to have a “health of the Mother exception” clearly covered in State statute. This improvement would make a difference for our moms and help to address our doctor shortages and recruiting. If reelected, I will work hard to add this language to the State statute.
I’ve also received emails encouraging me to support Proposition 1, inferring that by not supporting it, I was against it. I support the Idaho Constitution and specifically the right of Citizens to put an Initiative on the ballot. Proposition 1 is a citizen effort. Elected officials should not support or oppose citizens initiatives. I trust our voters to do their research and to make their voice heard. If I am re-elected, I will represent the will of our District in Boise.
With 10 more days until the election, I greatly appreciate your support and I would love to hear from you if you have any questions about how I will represent you in Boise.