Today, the Supreme Court of the United States held in Moyle v. United States that the case was improvidently granted and the federal district court’s order enjoining Idaho’s abortion ban as it conflicts with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act would remain in place while the case continues. This means that, for now, people are legally entitled to receive emergency abortion care.
Dr. Jamila Perritt, ob/gyn in Washington DC and President & CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health responds:
“Today’s Supreme Court’s decision to allow the lower court’s injunction of Idaho’s law to remain in place while litigation continues is a relief, albeit temporary. While it is devastating that the Supreme Court declined to end this uncertainty, this decision will ensure that for now abortion care can be provided in the case of life-threatening emergencies and will save countless lives. People need abortion care for many reasons, including under emergency circumstances. No matter someone’s reason for their abortion, they should be able to get the care they need in their community.
No one should die because their doctor was questioning whether or not it was legal to intervene with life-saving care…
“While pregnancy can, of course, be an exciting time for many, pregnancy can also be a medically complicated period of time for some. There are conditions that can arise and others that can worsen during pregnancy in which the only way to save the life of the pregnant person is to terminate the pregnancy. When these situations occur, time is of the essence and waiting to act can mean the difference between life and death for that person. Patients in Idaho and across the country are deserving of timely emergency medical care. No one should die because their doctor was questioning whether or not it was legal to intervene with life-saving care because politicians or judges have decided that they know better than health care providers.
The relief we feel is also tempered by the tragic reality doctors and patients are facing in this moment.
“We acknowledge that today’s decision means the fight for access to emergency abortion care will continue. The relief we feel is also tempered by the tragic reality doctors and patients are facing in this moment. We should never have had to question whether or not pregnant people are able to get life-saving care just as we should never have had to question whether or not our communities could get legal abortion care. We know that when people can access full spectrum reproductive and sexual health care, they can live more full and healthy lives. When people can practice autonomy, communities thrive. We will keep working towards a future where people can get the basic health care they need in their communities.”