Government and Politics
April 23, 2024
On April 24th, the U.S. Supreme Court will consider whether a federal law requiring hospitals to provide emergency care supersedes Idaho’s near-total abortion ban.
Idaho Democratic Party Chair Lauren Necochea released the following statement ahead of oral arguments:
“An Idaho court ruled that pregnant Idahoans have a right to care during a medical emergency. Since Republican leaders appealed this decision, patients are being airlifted out of Idaho. Lives are hanging in the balance, and the doctors and nurses who provide maternal health care face even more risks and challenges if they continue practicing in our state.
“Idaho’s Republican legislative leadership, Republican attorney general, and entire Republican Congressional Delegation are in lockstep asking the Supreme Court to continue the prosecution of doctors and nurses who intervene in medical emergencies. Together, these top GOP leaders are demonstrating that there is zero room in today’s Idaho Republican Party for compassion or concern for the health of women. Without federal protections for emergency care, doctors are advising pregnant patients to get life-flight insurance. Idaho is not a safe place to raise a family. We should all be outraged.”
Idaho Capital Sun: Loss of federal protection in Idaho spurs pregnant patients to plan for emergency air transport
[By Kelcie Moseley-Morris, 4/22/24]
KEY POINT: “That rise has prompted some Idaho physicians to advise their pregnant patients, or those trying to become pregnant, to purchase memberships with companies like Life Flight Network or Air St. Luke’s in the Boise area to avoid potentially significant costs if they need air transport in an emergency. With or without private insurance, the cost can be thousands of dollars.”