California Attorney General Rob Bonta has announced the state's readiness to defend reproductive rights in a hearing concerning Providence St. Joseph Hospital's motion to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the California Department of Justice. The lawsuit accuses the hospital of violating several laws by denying necessary emergency abortion care to pregnant patients.
Attorney General Bonta emphasized the department's commitment, stating, "At the California Department of Justice, we are fully committed to protecting reproductive rights. Whether threats to those rights are coming from Washington D.C. or within California, we will not back down." He added, "As we have made clear in our briefs, Providence is in the wrong. There is no legal basis to dismiss our case."
The lawsuit was initiated on September 30, 2024, and was filed in Humboldt County Superior Court. It alleges that Providence violated California’s Emergency Services Law, the Unruh Civil Rights Act, and the Unfair Competition Law. A specific incident involving patient Anna Nusslock highlights these allegations; she was denied treatment at Providence despite a life-threatening situation during her pregnancy.
Mad River Community Hospital had previously provided an alternative for such emergencies but closed its labor and delivery unit in October 2024. This closure leaves Providence as the sole option for women needing similar care in Humboldt County.
In response to this situation, Attorney General Bonta secured an agreement from Providence on October 29, 2024, ensuring compliance with California law while legal proceedings continue.
The opposition document against Providence’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit is available for public review.