The American Medical Association (AMA) has expressed relief following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to dismiss an Idaho case, effectively reinstating a pause on parts of the state's near-total abortion ban. This move restores access to emergency abortions in Idaho under federal law.

"The AMA is relieved the dismissal of an Idaho case by the U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated a pause on parts of the state’s near-total abortion ban and restored access to emergency abortions in Idaho under federal law," stated the AMA. "However, today’s decision failed to confirm that patients in every state are entitled to prompt, complete, and unbiased emergency health care that is medically and scientifically sound and provided in compliance with the country’s Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA)."

The organization emphasized that all patients should trust clinicians to use their medical judgment, honed through years of education, training, and experience, to provide necessary care during medical emergencies. "In emergency situations, where every second is critical, physicians should be able to focus exclusively on providing the best care to their patient," the statement added.

The AMA pledged continued support for efforts ensuring that widely accepted principles of medical ethics are upheld so physicians can treat pregnant patients experiencing medical emergencies without fear of legal consequences. "We will also continue to fight for the health of pregnant patients and for the ethical practice of medicine."

An AMA viewpoint published last April outlined how Idaho's abortion law undermines core medical ethics ahead of Supreme Court oral arguments in Idaho v. U.S.