Credit: Chris Allen for Black Voice News
SCOTUS allows Idaho hospitals to provide emergency abortions — for now
Nearly a week ago, the Supreme Court ruled in joint cases Moyle v. United States and Idaho v. United States that Idaho hospitals can provide emergency abortions when a patient’s health is at risk. The 6-3 decision reversed a previous order that allowed a near-total abortion ban in the state. Currently, abortions in Idaho are only permitted in cases of incest, rape, some instances of nonviable pregnancies, and “only when it is necessary to prevent the death of a pregnant woman.” These restrictions also carry steep criminal and civil penalties for medical providers.
However, last Thursday’s ruling failed to address the heart of the case: how Idaho's ban clashes with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA), a law passed by Congress in 1986, which ensures emergency care access to patients regardless of their ability to pay.EMTALA requires Medicare-funded hospitals to provide essential care to patients experiencing medical emergencies. Yet, in contrast, Idaho's law prohibits abortions unless necessary to prevent a pregnant person’s death, making no exception for abortions needed to avoid grave harm to the person’s health, such as kidney failure or future infertility. So, while hospitals can perform emergency abortions for now, other situations under the Idaho ban might still conflict with EMTALA.
“So, as of today, the Court has not adopted Idaho’s farfetched theories—but it has not rejected them either. Instead, the Court puts off the decision. But how long must pregnant patients wait for an answer?” Justice Jackson wrote in a majority opinion. “So, to be clear: Today’s decision is not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho. It is a delay.”
Credit: Luz MediaThe reasons why survivors of domestic violence don't “just leave”It's crucial to address the harsh realities of domestic violence, as one in four women and one in nine men experience severe physical violence from intimate partners, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Victims often face complex challenges such as fear of retaliation, financial dependency, and isolation from family and friends. Luz Media stresses that questions like 'Why didn't you just leave?' are incredibly damaging and harmful because they shift responsibility to the person being abused instead of the abuser.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential support, resources, and information 24/7.
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Amid recent news that gun violence is now considered a public health crisis in the U.S., India Currents recently spoke with epidemiologist Sonali Rajan, who researches the effects of gun violence on children at Columbia University. She said politicians and others need to reframe the debate on gun violence from crime to public health. "We are raising a whole generation of children for whom exposure to gun violence is normal." → Credit: Columbia University