FemInEM

https://lnkd.in/eFZ4CMSa The Trump administration and Justice Department have moved to dismiss a federal lawsuit challenging Idaho's strict abortion ban, even in medical emergencies. The case, originally brought by the previous administration, argued that Idaho's law conflicted with the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which requires hospitals to provide stabilizing treatment for emergency medical conditions. With the lawsuit dismissed, Idaho can now fully enforce its abortion ban, raising serious concerns among healthcare providers about the risks to women's health. Physicians may face legal uncertainty when treating pregnancy-related emergencies, potentially delaying or denying critical care. This decision will have chilling effects across the country. “The administration choosing to walk away is just completely outrageous and really heartbreaking for the women of this country,” said Brittany Fonteno, president and CEO of the National Abortion Federation.

https://lnkd.in/e_Hh5zeA Access to adequate and affordable contraception is essential for individual rights, health, and societal well-being. However, as?The Coalition to Expand Contraceptive Access?and others have noted, the current contraceptive workforce cannot meet existing or future demand, requiring innovative solutions to bridge gaps in access. One solution is to offer contraceptive provision to our Emergency Departments. With approximately 29 million ED visits annually by women aged 15 to 45, and a potential contraceptive-providing workforce of 48,000 physicians and 26,000 advanced practice providers, EDs are uniquely positioned to fill critical gaps in access to reproductive healthcare. “Extending this capacity to contraceptive care could serve as another critical bridge to gaps in access.”

https://lnkd.in/ePEdXA7D Social media has connected us in incredible ways, but as platforms change and trust in them fluctuates, we need a more reliable way to engage, educate, and advocate. That’s why?FemInEM is evolving beyond social media?to ensure our community stays informed and empowered. As?Dr. Dara Kass?explains,?“Many of us have grown skeptical of these channels… relying solely on social media for communication can feel unreliable.”?To address this, we’re?strengthening our website, newsletter, and in-person connections—creating a space where content is curated, trustworthy, and always accessible. “Our website will continue to be the cornerstone of our work,”?Dr. Kass emphasizes. This shift isn’t about leaving social media behind—it’s about building something?more sustainable and impactful?for the long run. Join us as we take FemInEM back to?community-driven engagement.?Let’s keep the conversation going—on our terms. #FemInEM #EquityInEM #Leadership

https://lnkd.in/gbPk7ypM A?new study published by ProPublica examines the impact of Texas’s abortion ban on the prevalence of life-threatening complications during pregnancy emergencies. The study found that in 2021, “67 patients who lost a pregnancy in the second trimester were diagnosed with sepsis… In 2022, that number jumped to 90. The following year, it climbed to 99.” The study also found a sharp rise in maternal hospital deaths, from 79 in 2018-19 to 120 in 2022-23. According to an expert on abortion policy quoted in the article, this data “tells a really compelling story that people are dying as a result of the abortion restrictions.”?

We would like to wish a Happy Valentine’s Day to the office of Rob Bonta, the California attorney general, who is suing Providence St. Josephs Hospital,? a Catholic hospital in Northern California,? for denying a woman an abortion. "Bonta’s office slammed Providence St. Joseph in its Jan. 28 memorandum, stating the hospital 'refuses, as a matter of hospital policy, to adequately care for pregnant patients experiencing obstetric emergencies.'" Providence St. Joseph sent the woman out to pursue her medically necessary abortion elsewhere, giving her a bucket and towels “in case something happens” en route. "SFGATE contacted Bonta’s office for a statement on the ongoing litigation and received the following in response from a general press office email address: 'Thanks for reaching out. Denying emergency abortion care to pregnant patients who need it is unlawful." https://lnkd.in/deej6DjC

The Harvard Law Review essay posted yesterday, “What to Expect From Texas Hospitals When You’re Expecting,” is an essential read for the chilling impacts of the confusing and restrictive policies surrounding reproductive care in Texas. Highlights:? “In recent years, more women have died giving birth in Texas than in any other state. From 2018 to 2022, the number of maternal deaths in Texas more than doubled that of the state with the second highest number of maternal deaths, Florida. Across roughly the same time span, the rate of maternal mortality in Texas increased 56 percent. These troubling statistics are in large part due to the ripple effects of changing laws regarding reproductive care.” “Zurawski and Becerra further entrench the perceived binary in which providers feel trapped: protect oneself from legal liability or prioritize individualized patients’ needs…Rather than resolving or clarifying physicians’ duty to their patients, Zurawski and Becerra add to existing confusion and fear.” “In Texas, where approximately 390,000 live births occurred in 2023, the combined effect of Zurawski and Becerra is that physicians no longer have any insulation from legal liability. They thus respond to pregnancy emergencies with the law — rather than their patient’s immediate health needs — front of mind.”

As reproductive healthcare becomes increasingly politicized and access to mifepristone faces new barriers, the role of Emergency Departments in protecting access has never been more critical. In this MedPage Today article, Dr. Dara Kass, founder and strategic lead of FemInEM, explores how ED providers can ensure patients receive the care they need. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eGzqSgwb

Drs. Dara Kass and Sophia Spadafore sat down to discuss mifepristone access in light of recent news. Let us know your thoughts. https://lnkd.in/ecpxvRCu

Really important article from the folks in Boston and published in WJEM about a buyout program to staff nights. Critically important to counter burnout and supports a safer clinical enviorment for patients. https://lnkd.in/eeQwTxJk

2 Days until the launch of the new and improved FemInEM website. Redesigned to better serve our community, the site is your go-to resource for advancing gender equity in emergency medicine and improving reproductive health outcomes. Explore our new look, discover our expanded mission, and connect with programs designed to make a difference. And don't forget to sign up for our newsletter for updates, information and events.