Idaho’s Abortion Ban Stays Blocked Based on Conflict With EMTALA

Idaho can’t enforce its total abortion ban inconsistently with a federal emergency care law, a federal judge said.

Judge B. Lynn Winmill, of the US District Court for the District of Idaho, denied the state’s request to reconsider an earlier decision that partially blocked the ban to the extent it conflicts with the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

This is one of two cases in which state abortion bans have been challenged as inconsistent with EMTALA, which requires hospitals that participate in Medicare to provide emergency screenings and stabilizing treatment, regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.

At issue ...