Public health records or official hospital statements

US Supreme Court Poised to Allow Emergency Abortions in Idaho in 6-3 Vote

Jun 26, 2024, 06:03 PM

The US Supreme Court is poised to allow abortions in medical emergencies in Idaho, according to a draft opinion that was briefly posted on the court’s website. The draft opinion, which was inadvertently published and quickly removed, suggests that the court will permit emergency abortions when the pregnant patient's health is at serious risk. This decision would reinstate a lower court order that had ensured hospitals in Idaho could perform emergency abortions to stabilize patients. The opinion, obtained by Bloomberg Law, indicates a 6-3 vote with Justices Thomas, Alito, and Gorsuch dissenting. Justice Jackson's draft concurrence notes that dismissing the case without a decision is not a victory for pregnant patients in Idaho. The case, involving the EMTALA law, will continue through the appeals process before potentially returning to the Supreme Court. The Biden administration had argued that hospitals must provide abortions to prevent serious harms to a woman's health.