Idaho's abortion law had an immediate effect on hospitals in the state. On January 5, the Supreme Court lifted a stay, so there is no EMTALA coverage for pregnancy complications in Idaho.
Physicians Leaving Idaho: The law doesn't just affect patient care, said Molly Meegan, chief legal officer of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), a professional organization that represents most practitioners in the United States.
Sending patients out of state: In April, St. Luke's, the state's largest emergency services provider, said it had to airlift six pregnant patients out of state from its emergency department to protect their health. The previous year, when the ban was in effect, the hospital had to do this only once, according to details in Wednesday's Supreme Court document.
Dr. Cara CadwalladerA physician who practices in Idaho and is a member of the Idaho Coalition for Safe Healthcare, his hospital said. Last week a pregnant woman had to be sent out of state for treatment. She's « very excited » about Wednesday's ruling, even if it's a small step.
« Beyond all the political reasons, this is incredibly important for pregnant patients in Idaho, who now have proper access to emergency care, » Catwallader said.
A different approach to prenatal conversations: St. Luke's Family Medicine Dr. Julie Lyons told CNN earlier this year that because Idaho's abortion law is so restrictive, she makes sure to talk to patients about what to do — even at their first prenatal visit. If they have an emergency.
« We, more than ever, are having that discussion — if you have to go out of state, you have to check your insurance, you have to make sure you buy life flight insurance, » Lyons said in February.
