Bill > SB5557

This bill codifies emergency rules to protect the right of pregnant persons to access emergency medical treatment in hospital emergency departments. The legislation affirms that reproductive healthcare is a long-established right in Washington state and aims to provide the strongest possible protections for pregnant patients, especially in light of uncertainty at the federal level. Specifically, the bill requires hospitals to provide treatment to pregnant persons with emergency medical conditions consistent with the applicable standard of care, which may include terminating a pregnancy if that is medically appropriate. Importantly, the bill stipulates that neither the continuation of pregnancy nor the health of an embryo or fetus can be a basis for withholding care from the pregnant person or prioritizing the fetus over the patient's health and safety without the patient's informed consent. The bill also expands the legal definition of "emergency medical condition" to include specific pregnancy-related complications like ectopic pregnancy, emergent pregnancy complications, and hypertensive disorders. By doing so, the legislation ensures that hospitals must provide comprehensive emergency care to pregnant patients, prioritizing their health and medical needs above all other considerations.

Health and Social Services

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5557&Year=2025&Initiative=false