Ashley A. Creech, Associate in the Health Care & Life Sciences practice, in the firm’s Washington, DC, office, was quoted in Law360 Healthcare Authority, in “Trump's Abortion Guidance U-Turn Sparks Legal Risks,” by Mark Payne. (Read the full version – subscription required.)
Following is an excerpt:
Now that the Trump administration has pulled guidance telling doctors they must perform abortions in emergency situations, healthcare attorneys are warning their clients to diligently document their decisions, especially when they find themselves caught in the middle of conflicting federal and state law. …
Clarity From Hospitals
With a lack of direction from the courts and the federal government, it's crucial that hospitals communicate their EMTALA policies that mesh with state abortion bans, experts say. …
Likewise, clinicians should stay attuned to the information hospitals are communicating to their staff regarding EMTALA and state laws, according to Ashley Creech, an associate at Epstein Becker Green who was previously a registered nurse and clinical manager.
"Nurses, physicians and clinical staff that are involved in direct care of patients within a hospital setting should be looking at the hospital's EMTALA compliance policies," she said, adding that they should also understand state laws.
