CMA Applauds Decision to Repeal Abortion Mandate in ER Rooms

Philadelphia, Pa. – June 3, 2025 – The Catholic Medical Association (CMA) applauds the Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to repeal a Biden administration mandate that forced physicians to perform abortions in emergency rooms, and to again follow the EMTALA law itself, which protects both the mother and unborn child.

In January of this year, CMA, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, filed a federal lawsuit, Catholic Medical Association v. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee.

CMA’s complaint stated that the 2022 Biden abortion mandate is unlawful because EMTALA does not provide for government authority to compel physicians to perform abortions. In fact, EMTALA rules clearly state that they are to treat the pregnant woman and her “unborn child.”

Dr. Tim Millea, CMA’s Health Care Policy Committee chairman, states, “The Department of Health and Human Services’ decision to rescind this harmful and unlawful abortion mandate is correct, both medically and morally.”

Dr. Michelle Stanford, President of CMA, further notes that, “Emergency medicine physicians and others who treat pregnant women in crisis should not be forced to end an unborn life by governmental mandate. Now they will be able to do what physicians are called to do: help all persons under their care, including the unborn.”