BNA: Hospitals, Doctors Agree With CMS Decision Not to Change Major EMTALA Requirements

Nathaniel Weixel

Stakeholder groups support the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' decision not to change current requirements for hospitals under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act.

EMTALA, also known as the patient anti-dumping statute, was passed in 1986. It is meant to ensure that an individual with an emergency medical condition is not denied essential lifesaving services, regardless of the individual's insurance coverage status.

A hospital failing to fulfill its EMTALA obligations may be subject to termination of its Medicare provider agreement, which would result in the loss of Medicare and Medicaid payments, according to CMS.

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