Washington, D.C. – The United States Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in Idaho v. United States and Moyle v. United States — a pair of consolidated cases with nationwide implications for access to emergency abortion care. 

Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, released the following statement in response to today’s oral arguments: 

“The high stakes for women, families, and communities were on display today as the Supreme Court heard oral arguments that highlighted the number of women who have experienced deteriorating and serious health conditions as a result of Idaho and other states’ extreme bans on abortion – bans that go so far as to prevent care from being delivered even in emergency circumstances. Notwithstanding that the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act guarantees protections for all patients, including pregnant ones, Idaho argued that the state can restrict the kind of emergency care that patients receive even if that care endangers a woman’s future fertility and health. Idaho’s position is contrary to the views of the nation’s leading medical organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American College of Emergency Physicians, and American Medical Association, which made clear in briefs to the Court that these efforts undermine the well-being and lives of people and bedrock principles of medical ethics. Amidst a maternal health crisis, the Court must ensure that pregnant people have access to essential emergency care regardless of where they live. The extreme argument made by Idaho is contrary to the US Constitution and should be rejected.” 

For more information about Democracy Forward and these cases, please visit https://democracyforward.org/work/emtala/. 

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