The State of California is taking legal action against a hospital for allegedly refusing a woman an emergency abortion.
According to a report from the New York Times, Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, which is affiliated with the Catholic Church, denied Anna Nusslock, 36, an emergency abortion after her water broke prematurely, putting her at risk for infection and other complications.
Nusslock, a chiropractor from Eureka, was 15 weeks pregnant with twins when her water broke.
Doctors informed her that the babies were not viable and that if the pregnancies were not terminated, she could face serious health risks, including hemorrhaging, infection, and potential negative impacts on her future fertility.
However, the outlet reports that because fetal heartbeats were detected, the hospital refused to perform an abortion unless Nusslock’s life was in danger, citing its own policy.
According to the NYT, Nusslock’s husband took her to Mad River Community Hospital, and by the time they arrived, she was hemorrhaging.
Nusslock expelled one fetus and underwent an emergency procedure to remove the other.
On September 30, the State of California initiated a lawsuit against the hospital, claiming it violated state law requiring hospitals with emergency rooms to provide care that prevents not only death but also “serious injury or illness.”
The lawsuit states that “instead of providing the emergency medical care she needed, Providence Hospital offered her a bucket and towels.”
Further details regarding Nusslock’s ordeal are included in the suit, which alleges that the doctor at Providence recommended she be airlifted to the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center for treatment.
When Nusslock mentioned the $40,000 cost, the suit claims her doctor responded, “If you try to drive, you will hemorrhage and die before you get to a place that can help you.”
The lawsuit claims that Providence Hospital’s “conduct was not only dangerous and inhumane, but also illegal in multiple ways,” referencing California’s Emergency Services Law, which the suit states “specifically prohibits the kind of patient dumping Anna experienced.”
Nusslock expressed, “This experience deeply traumatized me, and I have been dealing with tremendous anxiety, grief, and depression ever since,” as reported by the New York Times.
According to a report from the New York Times, Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, which is affiliated with the Catholic Church, denied Anna Nusslock, 36, an emergency abortion after her water broke prematurely, putting her at risk for infection and other complications.
Nusslock, a chiropractor from Eureka, was 15 weeks pregnant with twins when her water broke.
Doctors informed her that the babies were not viable and that if the pregnancies were not terminated, she could face serious health risks, including hemorrhaging, infection, and potential negative impacts on her future fertility.
However, the outlet reports that because fetal heartbeats were detected, the hospital refused to perform an abortion unless Nusslock’s life was in danger, citing its own policy.
According to the NYT, Nusslock’s husband took her to Mad River Community Hospital, and by the time they arrived, she was hemorrhaging.
Nusslock expelled one fetus and underwent an emergency procedure to remove the other.
On September 30, the State of California initiated a lawsuit against the hospital, claiming it violated state law requiring hospitals with emergency rooms to provide care that prevents not only death but also “serious injury or illness.”
The lawsuit states that “instead of providing the emergency medical care she needed, Providence Hospital offered her a bucket and towels.”
Further details regarding Nusslock’s ordeal are included in the suit, which alleges that the doctor at Providence recommended she be airlifted to the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center for treatment.
When Nusslock mentioned the $40,000 cost, the suit claims her doctor responded, “If you try to drive, you will hemorrhage and die before you get to a place that can help you.”
The lawsuit claims that Providence Hospital’s “conduct was not only dangerous and inhumane, but also illegal in multiple ways,” referencing California’s Emergency Services Law, which the suit states “specifically prohibits the kind of patient dumping Anna experienced.”
Nusslock expressed, “This experience deeply traumatized me, and I have been dealing with tremendous anxiety, grief, and depression ever since,” as reported by the New York Times.
Olekanma Favour is a resourceful, self-motivated, and result-driven writer with a passion for crafting compelling narratives and insightful content. She loves tackling complex topics and weaving engaging stories.
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