Chicago Abortion Fund Statement on Supreme Court Hearing Oral Arguments on EMTALA Case
Media Contact:
Eleanor Grano, Communications Manager, Chicago Abortion Fund
Email: eleanor@chicagoabortionfund.org (cc: info@chicagoabortionfund.org)
Phone: 312-219-1611
CHICAGO, IL – April 24, 2024
Today, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments that could determine the future of emergency abortion access under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). This case has the potential to significantly restrict access to life-saving abortion care in emergency situations, threatening the health and bodily autonomy of millions across the nation.
Chicago Abortion Fund's Executive Director, Megan Jeyifo, issued the following statement:
"The protections afforded by EMTALA have long ensured that anyone facing an emergency medical condition could receive necessary care. It's a promise of safety, of compassion, of dignity, of doing the right thing in times of crisis. Today, that promise is at risk and it is only at risk for people seeking emergency abortion care. We are sick and tired of abortion, a common and essential procedure that is often life-saving, being siloed when it comes to equitable healthcare access. The Supreme Court's decision could roll back the critical access EMTALA guarantees, further challenging our collective commitment to abortion justice and healthcare equity. The stakes could not be higher—as lives hang in the balance."
This case arises amidst a backdrop of escalating barriers to abortion access nationwide, with anti-abortion extremists seeking to dismantle a fundamental life-saving emergency care for millions. The Chicago Abortion Fund has continued to stand with those most impacted by abortion restrictions and those traveling to Illinois for care, as well as providing direct support to people in need of hospital-based abortion care through its Complex Abortion Referral Line for Access (CARLA).
"In the year following the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, the Chicago Abortion Fund supported over 13,000 people, a significant increase from previous years, in accessing abortion care. In September 2023, the Chicago Abortion Fund, in collaboration with 4 Chicago hospitals, launched the CARLA program and has supported over 600 patients accessing complex hospital-based abortion care. If the Court rules to undermine EMTALA, this number will only rise as states enact more restrictive abortion laws. Anti-abortion legislation is devastating and dangerous for all people seeking abortion care – and this danger would only be escalated if these laws further override the rights of people in critical health situations. The Court must uphold EMTALA's vital protections," shared Jeyifo.
The Chicago Abortion Fund calls on the Supreme Court to recognize the established precedence of EMTALA and maintain its essential role in protecting critical reproductive healthcare. As a community, we must uphold the right to life-saving, emergency abortion care as a key component of medical treatment.
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The Chicago Abortion Fund (CAF) isn't just an organization; we're a movement. For 38 years, we've been tearing down barriers to abortion care in Chicago, the Midwest, and beyond. We're not just providing funding; we're supporting our callers in accessing freedom, dignity, and autonomy.
CAF offers support for clients seeking abortions including, procedure funding, travel and related needs like childcare, emotional support and logistical expertise.The organization has relationships with 75+ abortion clinics across 12 states, and supports people nationwide. CAF has supported more than 20,000 clients since the Dobbs decision with over $6.5 million in aid.