Women and Children Need Help ASAP
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Texas to Women - Drop Dead
Emergency rooms not required to perform life-saving abortions, federal appeals court rules
The Biden administration reminded hospitals of their obligation to perform life-saving abortions under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act after the overturn of Roe v. Wade. Texas sued, arguing it was an overstep that mandated abortions.
Texas said this was tantamount to a “nationwide mandate that every hospital and emergency-room physician perform abortions.” Several anti-abortion medical associations joined the lawsuit as well.
In August 2022, a federal district judge in Lubbock agreed with Texas, saying this guidance amounted to a new interpretation of EMTALA and granting a temporary injunction that was later extended. The 5th Circuit heard arguments in November, and the judges seemed prepared to uphold the injunction.
Tuesday’s appeals court ruling, authored by Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt, said the court “decline[d] to expand the scope of EMTALA.”
“We agree with the district court that EMTALA does not provide an unqualified right for the pregnant mother to abort her child,” Englehardt wrote. “EMTALA does not mandate medical treatments, let alone abortion care, nor does it preempt Texas law.”
Bottom Line - If you’re pregnancy threatens your life in Texas and you wind up in the hospital emergency room the doctor there has no obligation to perform the abortion you need to save your life.
WELCOME TO STATES RIGHTS!!!
ACTION 1
The only way to fix this is to have the Congress pass the Women’s Health Protection Act that would legalize the right to an abortion nationwide.
On your cellphone text SIGN PYBXLN to 50409 to send this message below or use the contact info in the Resources section to call/email your Member of Congress and Senators.
“I am your constituent and I just learned that a Federal Appeals Court in Texas ruled that Hospital Emergency Rooms in Texas do not have to perform life saving abortions. This is what happens when you let the individual states choose to let women die instead of providing life saving abortions.
I want you to do everything in your power to pass the Women’s Health Protection Act as fast as possible. No more women dying unnecessarily. You have the power to save women’s lives and I want you to do it. No Excuses, JUST DO IT.”
You Need Food To Be Healthy - Not According to Congress
Congress has not fully funded the government. The current continuing resolution runs out January 19th. Here is a link to US Department of Agriculture report on the US supplemental nutrition programs for Women Infants and Children (WIC). This program provides necessary food for pregnant women, infants and children who cannot afford it. That is about 6.7 million of us and it is 40% of US infants.
The continuing resolutions provides funding at last year’s levels. The problem is that there are more eligible people signing up for the program than when it was funded for last year. In dollars the program needs $1 billion additional to make sure that those babies are fed.
If the additional funding is not in place then states may put new participants on a waiting list instead of making sure they do not go hungry.
Here is the breakout of who benefits monthly from WIC -
Infants 170,000, Children 370,000, Pregnant 110,000, Breastfeeding 80,000, Postpartum 70,000, Total 810,000 per month
The report also has a state by state account of the number of recipients. You can check to see how many in your state need help.
ACTION 2
Let’s educate Congress so they don’t let children and mothers go hungry.
On your cellphone text SIGN PWZHGO to 50409 to tell your MOC and Senators to fund WIC at the increased level to protect these vulnerable Americans.
“I am your constituent and I just learned that the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women Infants and Children is $1 billion short. That program feeds 6.7 million of us. 40% of all infants benefit. If that extra funding is not available states will be putting the hungry on waiting lists to get food. You can fix it. Make sure WIC gets the additional$1 billion needed before January 19th. Thank you.”
Healthcare Advocacy (Us)
Website
Our Newsletter resources including reproductive healthcare
Healthcare Advocacy Reading List
Find My Elected Officials
Contact the White House https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Contact State and Federal Representatives
By phone: (202) 224-3121
By email: democracy.io
Important Healthcare Resources
League of Women Voters Healthcare Reform Toolkit
Organizations to Contact
National Nurses United Medicare4All
Physicians for a National Health Program
One Payer States
Healthcare Now
Reproductive Health
NARAL - Pro Choice America
Charley. chatbot abortion resource - make sure to use a secure incognito browser if you live in a state that has banned abortion
Planned Parenthood
Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline has references about where to procure abortion medications. They also assist women in the process of self managed abortion or miscarriage by phone or text and will respond in an hour. Details and hours of operation at their website.
United State of Women Reproductive health page (bottom of the page) has important resources such as medical support, access to Telehealth, prescriptions by mail, and legal support references.
Practice careful communications - The Digital Defense Fund has a number of tips to keep texts, calls, and internet use private. Here is their site.
If you need financial help with an abortion try abortionfunds.org
Claims Denials and Appeals & What to Do
Appeal a Healthcare Decision
Appeal/Negotiate a Hospital Bill
Disinformation Management
Cybersecurity Infrastructure Security Agency
Save Democracy
Chop Wood, Carry Water by Jessica Cravens
RESISTBOT
Link to the RESISTBOT site to learn more
Link to Chop Wood, Carry Water RESISTBOT write up
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