Protect Pregnant Patients: Enforce EMTALA to Ensure Emergency Care

The alarming denial of emergency care to pregnant individuals in some emergency departments (EDs) is a pressing issue. This has led to severe consequences, including miscarriages in restrooms and births in cars due to denied admission. Despite federal mandates, these incidents persist, and the Supreme Court is considering arguments that could weaken these protections. The American Civil Liberties Union underscores the importance of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) in ensuring necessary care for pregnant patients. The Department of Health and Human Services is committed to enforcing EMTALA. It is imperative to impose penalties on hospitals that violate these regulations. The upcoming Supreme Court decision could significantly impact abortion laws and emergency care in other states. Therefore, urgent action is required to safeguard the right to emergency medical care.