CMS Rescinds EMTALA Guidance Related to Emergency Abortion
The U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a statement yesterday stating the agencies revoked the 2022 CMS guidance “Reinforcement of EMTALA Obligations specific to Patients who are Pregnant or are Experiencing Pregnancy Loss” (QSO-22-22-Hospitals) and (QSO-21-22-Hospitals), and the accompanying letter from the former HHS Secretary, saying they “do not reflect the policy of this Administration.” 

This guidance required hospitals receiving Medicare payments to provide emergency care, including potential abortions, for pregnant patients. When issuing this guidance in 2022, CMS and HHS said that Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) preempted any state law that prohibits abortion. More than a dozen states enacted such laws after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022, ending protections for the right to abortions under federal law.

When rescinding this guidance, CMS indicated that it “will continue to enforce EMTALA, which protects all individuals who present to a hospital emergency department seeking examination or treatment, including for identified emergency medical conditions that place the health of a pregnant woman or her unborn child in serious jeopardy. CMS will work to rectify any perceived legal confusion and instability created by the former administration’s actions.”

FDA Alert: Class I Recall of Smiths Medical Infusion Pumps
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent a notice yesterday that Smiths Medical has issued three letters to affected customers that certain CADD-Solis Ambulatory Infusion Pumps and CADD-Solis VIP Ambulatory Infusion Pumps have updated use instructions. The identified issues include a false alarm that may interrupt or delay an infusion; damage to the rechargeable battery pack circuit board that may result in thermal injury or interruption of therapy; and connectivity loss that may stop ongoing infusions. These are Class I recalls, meaning they can lead to serious injury or death. To date, Smiths Medical has not reported any serious injuries or deaths associated with these issues.

Study Reveals Sharp Decline in Mothers' Mental Health
The percentage of mothers reporting “excellent” mental health dropped from 38% in 2016 to 26% in 2023, according to a new study in JAMA Internal Medicine. During the same eight-year period, reports of “excellent” physical health declined from 28% to 24%. Mental health ratings were lower among mothers who were born in the United States, were single parents, had less education or had children who were publicly insured or uninsured. In contrast, fathers were more likely than mothers to report excellent mental and physical health, though their reports showed relatively similar declines throughout the study period. The authors suggest the decline in parents’ mental health may be an early warning sign of worsening mental health in the U.S. population, especially among women.

Measles on the Rise: How Healthcare Professionals Can Prepare, Respond
The vaccination rate for measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) has declined 78% from 2019 through 2024, according to a JAMA study. The study said that, “If vaccination rates continue to decline, measles is likely to return to endemic levels in the U.S.” The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported a resurgence of measles outbreaks, which study authors said is “a sentinel indicator of childhood vaccine interruptions.” 

Healthcare professionals play an important role in preventing the spread of measles and helping patients make informed decisions for their families. With ongoing measles outbreaks in the U.S., there are steps you can take to stay prepared—especially during the summer travel season. Click here to watch a discussion presented by the American Medical Association on current trends in measles epidemiology, clinical recognition, the importance of vaccination, and how to prepare for and respond to measles, so you can keep yourself, your coworkers, and your communities safe.