Court Rules Texas Hospitals Not Required to Perform Emergency Abortions

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit's interpretation of EMTALA sparks controversy, with potential for appeal to the Supreme Court.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit has ruled that Texas hospitals and doctors are not required to perform emergency abortions, despite guidance from the Biden administration.
The court's decision is based on the interpretation of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which requires hospitals to provide 'necessary stabilizing treatment' for 'emergency medical conditions'.
The ruling was praised by anti-abortion groups, while others argue it puts women's lives at risk and contradicts the intention of EMTALA.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, along with two private associations, the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Christian Medical and Dental Associations, had sued the Department of Health and Human Services over the interpretation of EMTALA.
The Biden administration may choose to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.