Supreme Court Hears Case About Emergency Access to Abortion Care

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 24, 2024
Contact: [email protected]

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States hears arguments in Idaho v. United States and Moyle v. United States, concerning the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) in yet another case that could have a major effect on abortion access. Below is a statement from the CEO of the National Abortion Federation about the potential impacts of this ruling.

Statement from Brittany Fonteno, President & CEO of the National Abortion Federation:

It is clear that anti-abortion politicians will stop at nothing as they attack access to this essential health care. Today’s case takes aim at the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which is a federal law requiring hospitals to provide stabilizing care for all patients in emergencies—including for pregnant people. Anti-abortion politicians want to allow states to ignore federal law that protects access to emergency care and deny people access to emergency abortion care even if they have a serious health complication. If the Supreme Court sides with these politicians – instead of patients – it could have fatal consequences for pregnant people. We’ve already seen the impact of bans like these in Texas where Kate Cox was forced to travel out of state for emergency care. We’ve seen other patients who were forced to wait until the very last minute—nearly dying before they received care because hospitals feared the legal ramifications. Everyone must be able to get the emergency care they need—including pregnant people who need abortion care. 

While we prepare for a potential decision this summer, NAF stands beside our members who continue to provide compassionate, evidence-based care every day and prioritize their patients’ health, safety, and wellbeing above all else. We also remain committed now and always to helping anyone, no matter who they are, how much money they have, or where they live, access life-saving abortion care. Anyone in any state can call the National Abortion Hotline at 1-800-772-9100 to understand their options and get the assistance they need, whether that’s help finding a provider, arranging travel to another state, or funding their care.

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The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the nation’s largest and leading professional association of abortion providers. NAF represents hundreds of providers and clinics across the country that are on the frontlines of abortion access. NAF provides members with trainings, security support, and guidelines that serve as the gold standard of abortion care. NAF also operates the National Abortion Hotline, the nation’s largest national, toll-free, multi-lingual hotline for abortion resources and travel and financial assistance in the U.S. Learn more at https://nationalabortionfederation.org