EMTALA requires hospitals that participate in Medicare and operate emergency departments to: Provide a medical screening exam to anyone who comes to the emergency department, regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Stabilize patients with an emergency medical condition (including women in active labor) before transferring or discharging them. Arrange an appropriate transfer if the hospital cannot provide the necessary treatment. Purpose: The law was designed to prevent “patient dumping,” where hospitals refused care or transferred patients based on lack of insurance or financial resources.

• Faculty: Sherry Reisler
• ID: Pr-028510