1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

The recent decision to rescind the guidance on enforcing the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) for emergency abortion care puts women's lives at risk. EMTALA is a federal law that requires hospitals to stabilize patients facing medical emergencies, regardless of state abortion laws. The Biden-era guidance aimed to protect doctors' clinical judgment in providing life-saving care, including abortion, when a pregnant woman's health is in serious jeopardy. Without this clarity, healthcare providers may hesitate to perform abortions even in emergency situations, fearing legal consequences from restrictive state laws. This creates a dangerous situation where women's lives could be endangered due to delays or denials of necessary care. Previous cases have already shown instances where patients were denied abortions despite life-threatening complications. Revoking the guidance introduces further confusion and will likely exacerbate the chilling effect on providers, leaving them uncertain about their legal obligations. I urge you to support efforts to reinstate clear federal guidance enforcing EMTALA's provisions for emergency abortion care. Protecting women's lives should be the paramount concern, transcending politicized debates around abortion. Healthcare decisions must remain between patients and their doctors, without interference from politicians or fear of prosecution. Ensuring access to emergency abortion services when medically necessary is a matter of life and death. Women's wellbeing and lives depend on your leadership on this issue.