WASHINGTON, D.C.-In a 6-3 decision the Supreme Court ruled that emergency abortions will, for the time being, be allowed in Idaho.
The somewhat limited ruling did not include a ruling on the merits of the case and instead sends it back to the 9th Circuit Court, which ultimately means it could end up before the high court again soon, according to the Associated Press.
Politicians and medical associations are now responding to the Supreme Court decision that, while allowing abortions in Idaho stopped short of affirming that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act require hospitals to provide emergency care, including abortions.
Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), released a statement following the ruling, which read in part:
“This decision fails patients and doctors—and leaves an unacceptable level of uncertainty for women and their health care providers.
Even with EMTALA still in place for now in Idaho —Republican abortion bans continue to have a dangerous chilling effect. Doctors are still forced to contend with dangerous laws on the books that threaten them with prosecution or jail time, making our health care providers either hesitant or altogether unwilling to provide women lifesaving abortion care in these states.”
Sen. Maria Cantwell, (D-WA), released the following statement after the Supreme Court’s ruling:
“OB/GYNs are leaving Idaho creating access deserts, Idaho women are being airlifted across the border to get the care they need, and rape victims are being denied Plan B to stop unwanted pregnancies. Idaho and the courts are leaving our rights in tatters.”
The Washington State Medical Association also released a statement after the ruling, with President Nariman Heshmati, MD, MBA, an OB-GYN, saying:
“While a welcome development for patients’ access to care, today’s Supreme Court decision regarding EMTALA doesn’t mean an end to this issue, as there will likely be further challenges to the law. States like Washington that have a long history of protecting access to abortion care must remain vigilant in defending the sanctity of the physician-patient relationship. The Washington State Medical Association has extensive policy in support of promoting access to abortion and all essential health care services.
We urge our state leaders to keep doing everything in their power to ensure Washington can fully meet the needs of our patients and those patients who travel here from states with abortion restrictions to seek care.”
