Protecting Emergency Medical Intervention for Patients Who Are Pregnant

May 7, 2024

The American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) recently signed on to two efforts spearheaded by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) related to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), originally passed in 1986. CHEST joined ACOG and 22 other organizations in a statement supporting EMTALA as it relates to providing an abortion as a lifesaving intervention.

CHEST also joined ACOG in submitting an amicus brief in response to Idaho and Moyle, et al v United States, a pending Supreme Court case considering whether Idaho’s near-total abortion ban conflicts with broader protections mandated by EMTALA.

Under EMTALA, all patients are entitled to prompt, complete, and unbiased emergency health care that is medically and scientifically sound. The submitted brief explains the role that abortion care plays as a stabilizing treatment required by EMTALA.

As highlighted in the statement, "EMTALA must continue to protect pregnant people just as it protects those who aren’t pregnant.”