Pregnant Women Denied ER Care: Tragic Miscarriage in Hospital Lobby
TL/DR –
Complaints surged in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, claiming that pregnant women were being denied treatment in emergency rooms, particularly in states that enacted strict abortion laws. Incidents included miscarriages in restrooms, a lack of ultrasounds leading to a baby’s death, and turning away pregnant women in active labor. These cases raise concerns about emergency pregnancy care in the U.S., despite federal mandates requiring the women to be treated, leading to accusations that medical staff are avoiding pregnant patients due to fear of abortion restrictions.
Emergency Pregnancy Care in Crisis Post Roe v. Wade Overturning
Disturbing incidents of pregnant women refused service in US emergency rooms surged in 2022 after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Information gathered from federal documents revealed cases such as a woman miscarrying in a Texas hospital restroom after denial of admission, a stillborn birth in a Florida hospital after a security guard turned a pregnant woman away, and a baby’s death following a car birth in North Carolina due to the emergency room’s inability to offer ultrasound services.
Alarming State of Emergency Pregnancy Care in the US
The increase in complaints indicates a crisis in emergency pregnancy care in the US, particularly in states implementing strict abortion laws, leading to confusion about the extent of medical assistance doctors can provide. The refusal to care for these women occurred despite federal mandates for treatment.
Federal Obligations of Medical Care
Federal law dictates that emergency rooms treat or stabilize patients in active labor, or else provide a medical transfer to another hospital capable of treatment. Compliance is mandatory for medical facilities accepting Medicare funding. This law is now under threat, with the Supreme Court set to hear arguments that could erode these protections.
Healthcare Fears Amid Strict Abortion Laws
In states enforcing rigorous abortion laws, pregnant patients have become “radioactive” to emergency departments, according to Sara Rosenbaum, a health law and policy professor. The fear of legal repercussions has left staff eager to avoid any association with pregnant patients.
Investigations Uncover Disturbing Incidents
One such example occurred in July 2022, when a nine-month-pregnant woman arrived at Falls Community Hospital in Texas experiencing contractions. Despite the presence of a doctor, refusal of service led to an investigation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, concluding that the hospital broke the law.
Increased Complaints of Inadequate Pregnancy Care
Investigations into pregnancy-related complaints in 19 states showed an alarming increase following the Supreme Court’s judgment on abortion in 2022. Over two dozen complaints were lodged in the months after the ruling, compared to just over a dozen beforehand. The actual number of complaints filed in 2022 remains unknown.
Tragic Results When Medical Care is Denied
Several tragic outcomes resulted from inadequate pregnancy care. These include a miscarriage in a Houston hospital restroom after staff refused to admit the mother, and a stillborn birth in a North Carolina car following a hospital’s refusal to provide an ultrasound.
Potential Penalties and Enforced Fines
While the denial of service can lead to major fines and jeopardize hospitals’ Medicare funding, the extent of penalties imposed on hospitals that failed to treat pregnant patients adequately in 2022 remains unclear. Even as states impose stringent abortion laws, the White House argues that if hospitals receive Medicare funding, they must provide stabilizing care, including abortions.
Implications for States with Strict Abortion Laws
The Supreme Court’s judgment could have serious implications for states like Arizona, which is reinstating a law banning all abortions, barring exceptions where the mother’s life is at risk. The case’s outcome could potentially result in more hospitals rejecting patients without fear of federal penalty.
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