Federal Guidance Revoked for Emergency Abortions if Needed to Stabilize the Mother

Donald Trump’s regime revoked federal guidance issued in 2022 that required hospitals to provide emergency abortions when necessary to stabilize a pregnant woman’s medical condition.

The guidance was based on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, which requires emergency rooms that receive Medicare funds examine and attempt to stabilize all patients. Almost all USA emergency rooms receive Medicare funds.

Some states have laws that ban abortion except to save the life of the mother, a more stringent standard, or ban abortion completely. Federal law requires treatment to stabilize an emergency patient and prevent deterioration in their condition. The Supreme Court has left unclear whether doctors in states that ban abortion are allowed to terminate pregnancy for a woman who is in danger of serious infection, organ failure or hemorrhage.

Even with the guidance in place, last year an investigation by Associated Press found dozens of pregnant women were turned away from emergency room care. This included some whose medical condition needed an emergency abortion. Withdrawing the guidance issued under the Biden administration increases the likelihood of more such cases.

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