Texas Hospital Violated Federal Law in Denying Emergency Care for Ectopic Pregnancy, Investigation Finds

As per the Associate Press, an inquiry conducted by the federal government has ruled that the hospital known as Ascension Seton Williamson, located in Round Rock, Texas, violated the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) when it neglected to provide treatment to Kyleigh Thurman, a 36-year-old woman who was experiencing a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy in the beginning of 2023.

Even though there were obvious warning indicators, such as a decrease in hormone levels, the absence of a visible intrauterine pregnancy, and a blocked fallopian tube, the staff at the emergency room dismissed Thurman many times, while at first providing her with nothing more than a leaflet about miscarriage. She underwent emergency surgery that removed a portion of her reproductive system since her condition deteriorated, and the fertilized egg broke her fallopian tube, which caused her to require the procedure.

Following Thurman's tragedy, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) conducted a federal inquiry. The CMS came to the conclusion that the hospital had failed to adequately screen and stabilize her, which is a breach of federal law that necessitates emergency care regardless of whether or not a state prohibits abortion.

Even though the decision that was handed down in April was a minor victory for Thurman, a new policy that was released in June by the Trump administration revokes federal advice that protects access to abortion in conditions of medical emergency. 

Advocates and medical experts are concerned that the move creates dangerous ambiguity, despite CMS Administrator Dr. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure's assertion that the change does not undermine the protections of EMTALA that pertain to emergency care.

"I did not want anyone else to go through what I did," Thurman stated, expressing his disgust with the lawmakers and hospital administration in the state of Texas.

Her case brings to light the mounting worries regarding access to abortion care that could save lives, as federal monitoring continues to deteriorate and states continue to tighten prohibitions. 

Advocates continue to warn that withholding emergency abortion care is not only unethical but also illegal, and without unambiguous enforcement, lives continue to be put in danger. This is although hospital systems such as Ascension have declined to speak in detail.