The Trump administration has withdrawn federal guidance requiring hospitals to perform emergency abortions when needed to stabilize patients.
The move affects South Dakota hospitals operating under the state’s near-total abortion ban, which allows the procedure only to save a pregnant woman’s life.
South Dakota officially reported zero abortions in 2023, down from 192 in 2022. However, medical experts dispute these figures.
“To say there are no abortions going on in South Dakota is ludicrous,” Dr. Amy Kelley, a Sioux Falls OB-GYN, told KFF Health News.
The policy change adds uncertainty for emergency physicians who must weigh medical decisions against potential felony charges under state law.
A proposed 2026 constitutional amendment could challenge the state’s restrictive stance.
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