It seems obvious, right? A federal law meant to protect patients in medical emergencies nationwide should override state-level abortion bans. But the U.S. Supreme Court could turn that logic upside down in a ruling on EMTALA — the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.
EMTALA is a nearly 40-year-old law that requires hospital emergency rooms to provide all patients with stabilizing care. Legally, local or state regulations cannot deny patients care that is protected by the federal government.
But states with strict abortion bans, like Idaho, want the power to ignore federal law and deny emergency care to pregnant people.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule on the case by June.
In the meantime, the U.S. Supreme Court is allowing Idaho to ignore EMTALA, putting the health and lives of patients at risk — another example of the Supreme Court's hostility to basic reproductive rights.
We need courts that will defend our fundamental rights and apply the law equally.
Sign your name to join us in the call to reform our courts.
Together, we will protect and expand reproductive rights for all.
The Planned Parenthood Team
