Reference no: EM133281553

A doctor broke EMATA when he directed the transfer of a pregnant patient with ruptured membranes and dangerously high blood pressure (210/130) from one hospital's emergency room to another hospital 170 kilometers away. A $20000 fine was imposed on the doctor. At that time, Dr.Louis Sullivan, secretary of DHHS, released the following statement "This judgment sends a message to doctors all around the world that they must offer high quality care to everyone who enters a hospital in need of emergency treatment. This is an important viewpoint, and we are happy with the outcome". Any person who enters the emergency department and asks for an evaluation or treatment for a medical issue must be given a medical screening exam by a Medicare participating hospital in accordance with the standards of care outlined in EMTALA. The hospital is required to stabilize the patient's condition or arrange for a suitable transfer to another medical facility if it determines that the patient has a medical emergency. The hospital must offer the care regardless of the person's ability to pay and without holding back to ask about the person's preferred mode of payment or insurance coverage. Physicians working in emergency departments who do not want to treat all patients of their choice should exercise their right to free speech and seek employment elsewhere.

1. What other decision could the doctor have made?

2. How does the EMTALA law impact today's healthcare industry?