Sherrill Statement on Donald Trump Revoking EMTALA Emergency Abortion Guidance

WASHINGTON, DC — In response to the Trump administration’s decision to revoke federal guidance reminding hospitals that they must provide emergency abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement:

“Rescinding this guidance puts women’s lives at risk, plain and simple. EMTALA requires that patients in medical emergencies get the care they need, including emergency abortion care. That’s the law. 

“But Trump and his allies are once again putting their extremist agenda ahead of women’s health and safety. They are creating confusion for doctors, scaring patients, and dragging politics into one the most personal and urgent moments of a woman’s life. . 

“That’s why I introduced a resolution affirming that EMTALA protects access to emergency abortion care. No woman should have to bleed out in a hospital while doctors scramble to call a lawyer to see if they are allowed to provide medically necessary care. 

“I will continue fighting to make sure that these decisions are made by women and their doctors, not Republican politicians hellbent on controlling our bodies and our future.”

Last year Rep. Sherrill and Rep. Emilia Sykes (OH-13) introduced a resolution to reaffirm access to emergency abortion care for all Americans. This resolution would reaffirm that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) protects access to emergency abortion care in every state, and that all women, no matter where they live, should be able to receive the emergency care they need, including abortion.

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