Supreme Court Refuses to Tell States They Cannot Ban Abortions in Emergencies, Allowing Idaho Case to Continue in Lower Courts
For Immediate Release: June 27, 2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following yesterday’s inadvertent release of a draft decision in the consolidated cases about a long-standing federal law that protects emergency abortion care in hospital emergency rooms today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its official opinion in the case.
Statement from Planned Parenthood Federation of America President and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson:
“This decision is unconscionable. For nearly six months, as a direct result of the U.S. Supreme Court’s actions, Idahoans have been denied access to emergency abortion care. While access to emergency abortion care has been restored in Idaho for now, the court had the opportunity today to make clear that the federal EMTALA law protects pregnant patients’ access to emergency abortion care in every state. Instead, the court has kicked the can down the road, leaving access to emergency care for pregnant people across the country under threat.”
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) has long been understood to protect emergency abortion care when it is the necessary treatment for a pregnant person experiencing a medical emergency. Enacted in 1986, EMTALA is a federal law that requires hospital emergency rooms that take Medicare funding to provide necessary treatment to people experiencing medical emergencies. Read more about the case here.
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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable sexual and reproductive health care for all people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With nearly 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect, and without judgment, striving to create equitable access to health care. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable education and information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives. Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that supports the independently incorporated Planned Parenthood affiliates operating health centers across the U.S