Statement by Lupe M. Rodríguez, executive director of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice on the recent decision to revoke guidance on the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)

“We are outraged by the administration’s decision to revoke guidance underscoring states and hospitals’ obligation to provide lifesaving abortion care under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act. Allowing states and hospitals to turn away patients in emergency medical situations who desperately need abortion care means that more people will die, suffer significant pain and trauma, or lose the ability to have children altogether. We’ve already faced the tragic and preventable deaths of people who were denied this care because of their state’s abortion bans, and this action will only make this situation worse.

“No one should be denied care in a medical emergency, no matter who they are or where they live. We will not stand for these injustices and we won’t stop fighting for everyone to have unrestricted access to all of the healthcare they need.”