Latest news with #EmergencyMedicalTreatment&LaborAct
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Trump administration ends emergency abortion requirement for hospitals
The Trump administration has rescinded Biden-era guidance requiring hospitals to provide emergency abortions when necessary to stabilize a patient's health - even in states that ban the procedure. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced the change Tuesday, saying the now-defunct guidance did not 'reflect the policy of this Administration.' Subscribe to The Post Most newsletter for the most important and interesting stories from The Washington Post. The Biden administration had issued the guidance in July 2022, weeks after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ending the national right to abortion, to clarify that a federal law guaranteeing emergency care for patients in peril took precedence over state abortion bans. It later sued Idaho in federal court to enforce penalties against hospitals that disregarded the federal policy to adhere to the state's strict abortion ban. The Trump administration's decision is not unexpected, but will likely make health care providers feel uneasy, especially if they practice in states with severe abortion bans, said Kelly Gillespie, director of the Center for Health Law Studies at St. Louis University. The Biden-era guidance was intended not only to protect pregnant patients but also to provide clarity to health care providers in states with strict abortion laws. 'The providers are only human,' she said. 'It's very natural for them to avoid anything that could lead them into serious legal jeopardy.' When the Department of Health and Human Services issued the guidance in 2022, it was intended to reinforce that health care providers could terminate a pregnancy in emergent situations amid a new patchwork of state abortion bans. The law at hand, the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act - known as EMTALA - was enacted in 1986 and requires federally funded hospitals to stabilize or transfer patients needing emergency care. In a statement Tuesday, CMS said it would continue enforcing EMTALA, including 'for identified emergency medical conditions that place the health of a pregnant woman or her unborn child in serious jeopardy.' The agency added that it would 'work to rectify any perceived legal confusion and instability created by the former administration's actions.' Related Content Some advice from LGBTQ elders as WorldPride kicks off amid fears Black Democrats fume over 2024 while 'searching for a leader' in 2028 Joy, tension collide as WorldPride arrives in Trump's Washington
The Hill
7 days ago
- General
- The Hill
Trump administration rescinds emergency abortion guidance
The Trump administration has rescinded guidance telling health care workers who provide abortions to save their patients' lives that they are protected under federal law. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced Tuesday that it is rescinding guidance issued during the Biden administration, reinforcing to hospitals that under the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act (EMTALA) they must provide emergency abortions to pregnant patients if they are needed to save their lives. 'Legally, it means nothing,' Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, deputy director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Reproductive Freedom Project told The Hill. 'The obligation to provide emergency care comes from a federal statute… and as much as they might like to President Trump and Secretary Kennedy can not erase 40 years of law with this press release.' CMS said in a statement that the agency will continue to enforce EMTALA, which protects all emergency room patients seeking treatment, including 'identified emergency medical conditions that place the health of a pregnant woman or her unborn child in serious jeopardy.' 'CMS will work to rectify any perceived legal confusion and instability created by the former administration's actions,' the statement adds. The guidance change comes about two months after the Trump administration dropped a high-profile case over the right to an emergency abortion in Idaho, which health care policy experts said signaled an 'imminent reversal' of EMTALA guidance issued by the Biden administration. EMTALA was passed in 1986 to protect Americans from 'patient dumping,' a practice at hospitals and other clinics where patients are transferred to other facilities without their consent due to their inability to pay. The Biden administration in 2022 issued guidance on abortion specifically, following the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. A cascade of state laws quickly banned abortion, but the guidance allowed for emergency procedures and protected physicians in those cases. The move does not change the law, but it does make it more confusing for doctors to know what care they can legally provide pregnancy terminations, especially if they practice in states with abortion bans, according to Kolbi-Molinas. Reproductive rights groups and health care providers are bashing the move, arguing that it will profoundly hurt the health of pregnant people in the United States. 'By rescinding this guidance, the Trump administration has sent a clear signal that it is siding not with the majority, but with its anti-abortion allies — and that will come at the expense of women's lives,' Kolbi-Molinas said. 'The ACLU will use every lever we have to keep President Trump and his administration from endangering our health and lives.' Jamila Perritt, president and CEO of the group Physicians for Reproductive Health, said that she is 'deeply troubled' by the Trump administration's decision to change the guidance, arguing that it is abandoning its responsibility to people who need emergency medical care. 'This action sends a clear message: the lives and health of pregnant people are not worth protecting,' she said in a statement. 'Complying with this law can mean the difference between life and death for pregnant people, forcing providers like me to choose between caring for someone in their time of need and turning my back on them to comply with cruel and dangerous laws…' Meanwhile, some anti-abortion groups lauded CMS's move, calling it a 'victory.' 'Led by Dr. Oz, the Trump administration has delivered another win for life and truth—stopping Biden's attack on emergency care for both pregnant moms and their unborn children,' wrote Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America. 'We call on more states to follow the Trump administration's lead and pass Med Ed laws to protect women from abortion lobby misinformation.'
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Minneapolis mother hit with $24K bill for allergy test — why US patients face massive bills for routine care
Imagine taking your daughter to a clinic for allergy testing, then learning your insurer was billed $24,000 for it, $5,400 of which you must pay. You'd probably assume a mistake was made. That's exactly what Kaitlin Johnson of Minneapolis thought when this happened to her. Johnson called around and found most clinics charged around $1,827 for the testing. Yet, her clinic insisted the fee was correct. Only after eight months of fighting and inquiries from PBS News did the facility finally reduce that price. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Obviously, most people can't get the press to call to question their medical bills. So, sadly, many patients at that clinic likely got stuck paying through the nose for allergy testing. They aren't the only ones, either. All across the country, patients are being surprised with huge bills for routine care, even as many states try to take action to stop it. Here's why this is happening, along with some tips on how to avoid it. There's one big reason why so many patients are facing unexpectedly high bills for basic care. More of that care is now being provided by clinics affiliated with hospitals. In fact, in 2024, 55% of all doctors were employed by hospitals or health systems, which is more than double the number from 2012, according to PBS News investigation. This becomes a problem because hospitals can tack on facility fees and inflate charges for routine care. They do this to make up for the fact that they're often reimbursed less than the cost of care by insurers, or not reimbursed at all, because laws like the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act require them to provide emergency care regardless of payment ability. "Insurers payers are squeezing providers to the point where they are no longer financially stable," Molly Smith, vice-president of public policy at the American Hospital Association, told PBS. Smith also explained that inflation has made providing care even more expensive, but insurers haven't adjusted payouts accordingly, leaving hospitals with a greater financial burden to compensate for. Sadly, while most people expect inflated prices at hospitals, patients often don't realize until it's too late that fees and surcharges are showing up in bills for outpatient care at hospital-owned clinics. That's what happened to Jess Ayers when she took her daughter for treatment of a lazy eye and got a bill with a $176 facility fee. "I was dumbfounded because I'd never heard of it, and having worked in health care for a long time, I was taken aback," Ayers told PBS. Christine Monahan, assistant research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University, also pointed out another reason patients like Ayers and Johnson are coping with these surprising costs. It's because insurance deductibles have increased over time. "More and more, you might be directly responsible," Monahan told PBS. Consumer Shield confirms average deductibles hit $1,790 in 2024, up from $584 in 2006 and $1,220 in 2014. With higher deductibles, more consumers must pay out-of-pocket for facility fees and inflated hospital prices, rather than their insurer just footing most or all of the bill. Read more: Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? If you're now worried about high facility fees, the first thing to know is that some lawmakers are trying to protect patients from this financial burden. Georgetown University reported on the state of these reforms in 2023, indicating that Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, New York, Ohio, Texas, and Washington had banned facility fees for at least some providers and care settings. In Connecticut, for example, facility fees can't be charged for telehealth or for evaluation and management services on or off campus. New York lawmakers are now hoping to go even further by imposing a cap not just on facility fees, but also on services charged at outpatient clinics for those with commercial insurance. Other states, like Colorado, limited consumer financial exposure to outpatient off-campus facility fees by prohibiting a separate co-payment on them. And, more than half a dozen locations require covered providers to disclose facility fees and expected costs. Unfortunately, not everyone who seeks medical care lives somewhere where these protections are in place. Those who don't need to be especially careful to avoid surprise bills. Patients can do this by: Asking for a detailed written estimate up front. Researching clinic ownership and looking for providers who aren't affiliated with hospital systems. Requesting itemized bills to better understand charges. Negotiating with care facilities to reduce rates. Asking about discounts for cash-paying patients if they don't have insurance or won't meet their deductible. Finding a clinic that doesn't charge these fees may involve added time and hassle. Ayers, for example, located a provider 40 minutes away that doesn't impose a facility fee for her daughter's eye treatment. However, if you can save hundreds by doing the research to find a clinic that won't overcharge, it's likely worth the effort to make that happen. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead There's a 60% chance of a recession hitting the American economy this year — protect your retirement savings with these essential money moves ASAP (most of which you can complete in just minutes) This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Hawley officially a yes on Dr. Oz after securing commitments on transgender, abortion issues
FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., will vote to confirm President Donald Trump's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) nominee, Dr. Mehmet Oz, after securing commitments from him regarding transgender treatments for minors and abortion. "On this basis, I will vote to confirm him. Now that I am confident that he has moved away from his previous positions, and he's moved into alignment with the president, I feel comfortable voting for him," he told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview on Monday. The senator revealed that Oz responded to his inquiries and disavowed his past stances on transgender treatments for minors and abortion in a series of posts on X earlier in the day. 'Blindsided': How Stefanik's Trump Nomination As Un Ambassador Imploded "Dr. Oz has responded to my questions re: past support for trans treatments for minors & his criticism of right to life. Oz now disavows his previous support for trans surgeries & drugs for minor children. He pledges to 'end chemical and surgical mutilation of children,'" Hawley wrote on X on Monday. "He also walks back past criticism of state pro-life laws, says he supports the Dobbs decision, and is 'unequivocally pro-life.' He vows to enforce conscience protections, end the abuse of [the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act], and work to end funding for abortion providers," he continued. Read On The Fox News App "This was really a big shift of position for him," he explained, adding that he was "delighted" by Oz's responses. "When it comes to the [transgender] issue and the life issue, those are non-negotiable for me, just as I believe they are for the president," the Missouri Republican explained. "I want to know that these people are 100% clear." How Trump-blocking Judges Managed To Get Past Senate Judiciary Hawks "Every member of the Trump administration is working from the same playbook, President Trump's playbook, to restore commonsense policies and put an end to left-wing ideological nonsense afflicting our government," White House spokesman Kush Desai told Fox News Digital in a statement. "We look forward to the Senate's swift confirmation of Dr. Oz so he can join the rest of our all-star team at HHS working to Make America Healthy Again by restoring common sense, transparency, and confidence in our healthcare apparatus." "I just view my role for those I have to vote on — I want to know that these people are going to align with the president," Hawley said, noting that he believes Trump has "moved really fast [and] really strong" on the issues. Earlier in the month, Hawley sent Oz a list of questions, specifically probing him on those issues. As of last week, Hawley said the nominee hadn't responded, which the senator called "strange." Oz previously used his television show as a platform for people who supported and promoted transgender treatments, particularly for minors. Specifically, he hosted two transgender children on his show in 2010 in a segment titled, "Transgender Kids: Too Young to Decide?" He also expressed concerns about state laws to limit abortion during a 2019 interview on the popular radio show "The Breakfast Club." It's "a hard issue for everybody," he said at the time. And while on "a personal level," Oz didn't like abortion, he also believed he should not "interfere with everyone else's stuff," he said. Josh Hawley Believes His Bill Can Stop 'Resistance' Judges From 'Provoking A Crisis' Oz also opposed government jurisdiction on the subject of abortion when he ran for Senate in Pennsylvania as a Republican in 2022. "I don't want the federal government involved with that at all," he claimed during a debate with now-Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. "I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that's always allowed our nation to thrive, to put the best ideas forward, so states can decide for themselves." Hawley's commitments from Oz are just the latest he's received from Trump nominees as he considers them for confirmation. He previously got assurances from now-Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the same issues. Republicans Look To Abolish Tsa In Favor Of Private Security At Airports When it came to the now-leader of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Dr. Marty Makary, Hawley led a successful campaign to secure the resignation of a top lawyer with the FDA who previously argued for the government in favor of abortion pill access under former President Joe Biden's Department of Justice (DOJ). Hilary Perkins worked on behalf of the government's legal team in that case, which was notably against Hawley's wife, Erin Hawley, who represented the Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. However, Perkins has also argued on multiple occasions to uphold restrictions on abortion pill access. As a career government lawyer, she advocated for the government in all of her cases. In a statement provided to Fox News Digital, she said, "Of the many cases I supervised at DOJ, only one involved a lawsuit brought by pro-life groups. In that case I did not argue in favor of abortion pill access. I simply defended the legality of the government's actions, and the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in favor of my position." In reference to the opportunity Hawley gave Oz, Perkins explained, "I am a pro life conservative who is committed to advancing the Trump administration's priorities. Senator Hawley should give me the same courtesy he has given others in the Trump administration."Original article source: Hawley officially a yes on Dr. Oz after securing commitments on transgender, abortion issues
Fox News
31-03-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Hawley officially a yes on Dr. Oz after securing commitments on transgender, abortion issues
FIRST ON FOX: Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., will vote to confirm President Donald Trump's Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) nominee, Dr. Mehmet Oz, after securing commitments from him regarding transgender treatments for minors and abortion. "On this basis, I will vote to confirm him. Now that I am confident that he has moved away from his previous positions, and he's moved into alignment with the president, I feel comfortable voting for him," he told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview on Monday. The senator revealed that Oz responded to his inquiries and disavowed his past stances on transgender treatments for minors and abortion in a series of posts on X earlier in the day. "Dr. Oz has responded to my questions re: past support for trans treatments for minors & his criticism of right to life. Oz now disavows his previous support for trans surgeries & drugs for minor children. He pledges to 'end chemical and surgical mutilation of children,'" Hawley wrote on X on Monday. "He also walks back past criticism of state pro-life laws, says he supports the Dobbs decision, and is 'unequivocally pro-life.' He vows to enforce conscience protections, end the abuse of [the Emergency Medical Treatment & Labor Act], and work to end funding for abortion providers," he continued. "This was really a big shift of position for him," he explained, adding that he was "delighted" by Oz's responses. "When it comes to the [transgender] issue and the life issue, those are non-negotiable for me, just as I believe they are for the president," the Missouri Republican explained. "I want to know that these people are 100% clear." "Every member of the Trump administration is working from the same playbook, President Trump's playbook, to restore commonsense policies and put an end to left-wing ideological nonsense afflicting our government," White House spokesman Kush Desai told Fox News Digital in a statement. "We look forward to the Senate's swift confirmation of Dr. Oz so he can join the rest of our all-star team at HHS working to Make America Healthy Again by restoring common sense, transparency, and confidence in our healthcare apparatus." Earlier in the month, Hawley sent Oz a list of questions, specifically probing him on those issues. As of last week, Hawley said the nominee hadn't responded, which the senator called "strange." Oz previously used his television show as a platform for people who supported and promoted transgender treatments, particularly for minors. Specifically, he hosted two transgender children on his show in 2010 in a segment titled, "Transgender Kids: Too Young to Decide?" He also expressed concerns about state laws to limit abortion during a 2019 interview on the popular radio show "The Breakfast Club." It's "a hard issue for everybody," he said at the time. And while on "a personal level," Oz didn't like abortion, he also believed he should not "interfere with everyone else's stuff," he said. Oz also opposed government jurisdiction on the subject of abortion when he ran for Senate in Pennsylvania as a Republican in 2022. "I don't want the federal government involved with that at all," he claimed during a debate with now-Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa. "I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy that's always allowed our nation to thrive, to put the best ideas forward, so states can decide for themselves." Hawley's commitments from Oz are just the latest he's received from Trump nominees as he considers them for confirmation. He previously got assurances from now-Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the same issues. When it came to now-leader of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Dr. Marty Makary, Hawley led a successful campaign to secure the resignation of a top lawyer with the FDA who previously argued in favor of abortion pill access in a high-profile case while in former President Joe Biden's Department of Justice (DOJ). "I just view my role for those I have to vote on — I want to know that these people are going to align with the president," Hawley said, noting that he believes Trump has "moved really fast [and] really strong" on the issues.
