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Shocking video: Shows staff at Franciscan Health Crown Point, IN kicking out a pregnant black woman in active labor, told her she was only 3 cm, and sent her away. 8 minutes later, her husband delivered the baby in their car on the highway. 😳 pic.twitter.com/XNufTzHcNy

— Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) November 17, 2025

The viral video depicts Mercedes Wells, a Black woman in visible distress during active labor at Franciscan Health Crown Point, Indiana, being discharged after staff deemed her only 3 cm dilated; eight minutes later, her husband delivered their healthy baby in their vehicle on the highway, prompting the hospital's internal investigation into possible EMTALA violations.

This case underscores stark U.S. maternal health disparities, where CDC data indicates Black women experience a mortality rate 3.5 times higher than white women, with Indiana's Black infant mortality rate 2.5 times the state average per 2023 health department reports, fueling discussions of racial bias in care.

Thread replies demand lawsuits, doula advocacy, and policy reforms, while a counter-narrative from a white couple sharing a similar turn-away experience highlights potential systemic protocol issues beyond race, though experts note Black patients face dismissal 1.6 times more often per a 2022 JAMA study.

 

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA) is a federal law enacted in 1986 to ensure that individuals receive emergency medical care regardless of their ability to pay. It applies to nearly all hospitals in the United States that participate in Medicare. Here are the key details regarding EMTALA violations based on the information available:Key Obligations Under EMTALAMedical Screening Examination (MSE): Hospitals must provide an appropriate medical screening examination to anyone who comes to the emergency department requesting examination or treatment for a medical condition, regardless of their ability to pay.

Stabilization: If an emergency medical condition is identified, the hospital must stabilize the patient within its capabilities before discharge or transfer.

Appropriate Transfer: If the hospital cannot stabilize the patient, it must arrange for an appropriate transfer to a facility that can provide the necessary care. The receiving facility cannot refuse the transfer if it has the capability and capacity to treat the patient.

Types of EMTALA ViolationsEMTALA violations can occur in several ways, including:Failure to Provide a Medical Screening Examination: Not performing an adequate MSE to determine if an emergency medical condition exists.

Failure to Stabilize: Discharging or transferring a patient without stabilizing an identified emergency medical condition.

Inappropriate Transfer: Transferring a patient to another facility without ensuring the transfer is appropriate and the receiving facility agrees to accept the patient.

Discrimination: Refusing care based on factors such as inability to pay, race, ethnicity, or insurance status.

Consequences of ViolationsCivil Monetary Penalties (CMPs): The Office of Inspector General (OIG) can impose fines up to $104,826 per violation for hospitals and up to $52,413 per violation for physicians.

Termination from Medicare: Hospitals can be terminated from the Medicare program for repeated or severe violations.

Legal Action: Patients or their representatives can file lawsuits against hospitals for damages resulting from EMTALA violations.

Recent Context and Relevance2025 Case at Franciscan Health Crown Point: The incident involving Mercedes Wells, where she was discharged during active labor and subsequently gave birth in a car, raises questions about potential EMTALA violations. The hospital's decision to discharge her without adequate stabilization, especially given her condition, could be scrutinized under EMTALA's requirements.

Racial Disparities: The case highlights ongoing concerns about racial disparities in healthcare, as Black women in the U.S. face significantly higher maternal mortality rates. A 2022 JAMA study noted that Black patients are 1.6 times more likely to experience care dismissal, which could be relevant if racial bias influenced the hospital's actions.

Policy and Advocacy: The American Freedmen Legal Fund and other advocates are pushing for investigations and reforms, emphasizing the need for hospitals to comply with EMTALA to prevent such incidents.

Statistical InsightsViolation Rates: Between 4% and 5% of U.S. hospitals are cited for EMTALA violations annually. For-profit hospitals are more likely to have violations, with twice as many infractions per million ED visits compared to nonprofit facilities.

Referral and Investigation: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) assesses compliance, and the OIG receives referrals for potential CMP cases. Investigations include reviewing medical records, transfer logs, and hospital policies.

This information underscores the importance of EMTALA in protecting patients and the potential legal and ethical ramifications when hospitals fail to comply with its mandates. The Mercedes Wells case is a poignant example of how these issues can manifest, prompting broader discussions on healthcare equity and emergency care protocols.