Empire State Today

New York State Attorney General Letitia James, alongside California Attorney General Rob Bonta, is leading a coalition of 24 attorneys general to protect Americans' access to abortion care during medical emergencies. In a recent effort, they filed an amicus brief with the United States Supreme Court in Idaho v. U.S. and Moyle v. U.S., urging the court to uphold a preliminary injunction that required Idaho hospitals to provide emergency abortion care consistent with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).

"Everyone deserves access to comprehensive reproductive and abortion care, especially in the case of life-threatening emergencies," stated Attorney General James. She emphasized the importance of fighting against anti-choice decisions that endanger lives and highlighted the significance of abortion access and health care availability in saving lives.

The coalition of attorneys general explained in the brief that denying patients emergency abortion care not only harms pregnant patients but also endangers their lives. They further argued that preventing physicians from providing such care burdens healthcare systems and can lead to a public health crisis.

Attorney General James has been a vocal advocate for abortion rights and access. She has previously taken actions to protect access to abortion medication, spoke at rallies supporting abortion access, and secured court orders to prevent groups from blocking access to abortion care.

The amicus brief filed by Attorney General James and the coalition includes the attorneys general of various states and the District of Columbia, demonstrating a united effort to safeguard emergency abortion care and protect the rights and health of individuals in need of such services.