Murray Statement on HHS Investigation into Hospitals' Refusal to Provide Lifesaving Emergency Medical Care, As Required by Federal Law

Statement

"Hospitals are required under federal law to provide stabilizing treatment to patients experiencing medical emergencies--this isn't optional. What happened to this patient is horrific, and even more so because it was completely avoidable--this wouldn't be happening if Republicans weren't passing laws forcing women to stay pregnant even when their lives are at risk.

Women across America are suffering the consequences of extreme Republican abortion bans, with life-and-death consequences--and we have to do everything we can to protect women from the health care crisis Republicans have created. I am glad to see HHS open this investigation and remind providers of their obligation to provide emergency medical care to patients in a medical emergency, and I hope the Department's actions today help provide clarity to providers trying to do the right thing under difficult circumstances created by cruel Republican legislation.

We know that the Republican agenda is taking a wrecking ball to the practice of medicine, and in state after state, leaving doctors and other health care providers confused about when they can provide lifesaving medical care in an emergency without facing criminal charges. This is just another reminder that we urgently need to restore Roe and protect every woman's right to abortion."

Source