January 9, 2026
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NBCSL CONTACT: communications@nbcsl.org
Black legislators voted to advance emergency care protections and elevate Illinois law as model legislation
Washington, DC – As hospitals across the country continue to deny pregnant patients emergency care, All* Above All and members of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) call on the federal government to fully enforce the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), including its requirement that hospitals provide stabilizing treatment, which may include abortion care when necessary to save a pregnant person’s life. At NBCSL’s Annual Legislative Conference, members voted to adopt Resolution HHS-26-15, affirming access to emergency reproductive health care. Also during ALC, members voted to ratify Illinois’ emergency care law (HB 0581) as model legislation, equipping states with concrete tools to prevent pregnancy-related deaths as well as protect “stabilizing treatment” which includes abortion care and is necessary to resolve the patient’s injury or acute medical condition that is liable to cause death or severe injury or serious illness.
These policies directly confront a dangerous reality: pregnant people are being forced to wait, travel, or risk their lives because providers fear punishment for doing their jobs. Resolution HHS-26-15 calls on the federal government to fully enforce EMTALA, including providing stabilizing, life-saving care including abortion care when medically necessary, while the Illinois model legislation offers a tested pathway for states to hold hospitals accountable and protect providers on the front lines.
“This resolution reflects what we know to be true: the right to access comprehensive reproductive health care is foundational to public health equity and human dignity. I am proud to have worked alongside All* Above All to help introduce this resolution and advance policies that protect patients and providers. Black women have long borne the brunt of discriminatory restrictions that undermine their safety and autonomy. This resolution sends a clear message that every person deserves access to lifesaving care without fear, delay, or discrimination,” said Virginia Delegate Cia Price, Chair of NBCSL’s Health and Human Services Committee and resolution sponsor.
“HB 0581 strengthens standards for emergency care in hospitals so that every patient, regardless of background or zip code, receives timely, lifesaving services when it matters most, including in pregnancy-related emergencies,” said Illinois State Representative Marcus Evans Jr. and NBCSL bill sponsor. “By ratifying Illinois’ Hospital Emergency Service Act as model legislation, NBCSL is calling on the federal government to protect patient safety, safeguard emergency departments, and ensure our health systems are held to the highest standards of accountability. Ultimately, healthcare is not just a service, but a standard of safety that must be guaranteed to every citizen, regardless of their income or location.”
“NBCSL is a bipartisan, membership organization dedicated to promoting educational, research and training initiatives that assist its members to make informed decisions on the legislation and public policy impacting Black and underserved communities. Resolution HHS-26-15 and model legislation HB0581 address disparities in emergency and reproductive health care and affirms that access to timely, lifesaving care is a matter of dignity and justice. NBCSL supports its members as they develop solutions that protect patients, support providers, and set a national standard for equitable health care”, said Representative Harold Love Jr., Tennessee State Representative and President of NBCSL.
“Equitable, quality health care for all is non-negotiable. All* Above All applauds NBCSL’s leadership on their work to ensure protection of pregnant patient’s rights and emergency care access,” said Kaylan A. Tanner, Deputy Director of State Strategies at All* Above All. We are proud to partner with an organization that shares our vision for reproductive justice and health care decisions that are between a person and their doctor – not up to the state.”
All* Above All envisions a world where all people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or geographic location, have complete autonomy over their reproductive health. This includes unrestricted access to affordable, safe abortion services, as well as comprehensive sexual and reproductive health. In short, All* works for a world where all people can make decisions about their pregnancy free from stigma, with dignity in safe and just environments. A world where reproductive justice is a reality for all.
Campaign: Abortion Coverage