Idaho pro-life law to remain in effect

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Idaho could continue to enforce a law protecting unborn babies from abortion, even in medical emergencies, while the court appeals process plays out. The justices have promised they will hear the case in April, which involves the reach and interpretation of the 1986 Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, or EMTALA.

What is the issue with EMTALA? Idaho’s 2022 “Defense of Life Act” makes it a crime to abort a baby or assist a mother in aborting her baby unless it is needed to prevent the mother’s death. The Biden administration has sued Idaho, saying that its law prevents the proper execution of EMTALA, which requires physicians to do what is necessary to protect patients in medical emergencies. The Biden administration argues that it can include aborting a pregnant patient’s unborn child. Idaho argues that the administration is using EMTALA to impose a faux abortion mandate on states. The Biden administration is also in a legal battle with Texas related to EMTALA and abortion.

Dig deeper: Read Leah Savas’ report in Vitals about pro-life states passing laws to clarify the medical exceptions to their laws protecting unborn babies.