Today, lawyers representing anti-abortion politicians will argue before the Supreme Court that Idaho's total abortion ban should apply in hospital emergency rooms -- even if it means allowing a pregnant patient to suffer, even die.
Abortion bans are never about protecting patient health, and the lawmakers pushing these bans will stop at nothing to deny patients the care they need. The case before the court is about a national law called EMTALA -- the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
What is EMTALA (the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act)?
This federal law was passed nearly 40 years ago to ensure everyone is provided emergency medical care. The law requires hospitals to give stabilizing care to anyone experiencing an emergency medical condition. It's a simple enough idea: When a patient arrives in an emergency room, doctors have to protect their health. The courts, Congress, physicians, and hospitals have recognized and followed the law for decades.
What happens next?
The Supreme Court will hear the case today, and although it could issue a ruling at any time, it is likely to do so in June. In the meantime, the court is allowing Idaho to ignore EMTALA, putting the health and lives of patients at risk. We will keep you up to date as this case unfolds.
Lawmakers will keep pushing abortion bans, with dangerous and deadly consequences. The Biden administration has taken important steps to protect patients, but this case makes clear that federal policy is not enough. As long as the courts allow states to ignore federal protections, our health and rights will continue to be at risk.
What can I do?
For years, lawmakers hostile to abortion and other reproductive health care have successfully stacked our courts with judges and justices who think just like them. The Supreme Court’s decision to let Idaho ignore EMTALA while this case proceeds is just another example of its willingness to strip people of their constitutional and civil rights.
Sign your name to join us in the call to reform our courts. Together, we will secure rights, opportunities, and reproductive freedom for all.
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