Reproductive Equity Now Reacts to Trump Administration Dropping Idaho EMTALA Lawsuit

“This action will kill more pregnant people,” warns advocates

(March 5, 2025) – Reproductive Equity Now released the following statement on Bluesky today after President Donald Trump announced that his administration is dropping the Biden administration's 2024 lawsuit against the state of Idaho, which challenged the state’s abortion ban because it violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). EMTALA is the federal law that requires hospital emergency rooms to provide life-saving and stabilizing care, including abortions. 

With this action from the Trump administration, patients could be be denied life-saving emergency abortion care, which will have devastating consequences for maternal health.

Full Text: “2024: The Biden admin sued Idaho because its abortion ban violated EMTALA, the federal law requiring hospital ERs to provide life-saving care, including abortions.

“2025: The Trump admin is dropping the lawsuit, which would lead to patients being DENIED emergency abortions & left to die.

“Abortion is life-saving health care. Refusing care not only sets a horrifying precedent, but this action will kill more pregnant people. Donald Trump and his anti-abortion allies will be to blame.”

###