A top Senate Democrat is pressing hospitals in states with abortion bans about how they are complying with a federal emergency care law, following reports about women who need emergency reproductive care being turned away. Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) sent letters Monday to eight hospitals in Georgia, Texas, Missouri, Florida, Louisiana and North Carolina asking about specific policies and procedures to enforce the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). The letters were sent to hospitals where women have reportedly been turned away or experienced delayed care. Georgia and Florida ban abortion after about six weeks of pregnancy. Texas law prohibits all abortion except to save the life of the mother. Louisiana and Missouri similarly ban almost all abortions, with some narrow medical exceptions. North Carolina bans abortion after 12 weeks.
