Woman Sues Kansas Hospital for Denying Abortion, Alleging Life-Threatening Risk

A woman from Joplin, Missouri, is suing a Kansas hospital after being denied an abortion despite a pregnancy complication. Mylissa Farmer's lawsuit, filed in federal court, claims the University of Kansas Health System violated federal law and a state anti-discrimination act. The case has already prompted a federal investigation.

The lawsuit states that Farmer was thrilled to be pregnant until her water broke on August 2, 2022, at nearly 18 weeks gestation. This occurred just five weeks after Roe v. Wade was overturned and on the same day Kansas residents voted against tightening abortion restrictions. She first visited Freeman Health System in Joplin but was turned away due to Missouri's recent abortion ban.

Federal Investigation Findings

According to a federal investigation, doctors at both hospitals informed Farmer that her fetus would not survive and that she was at risk of severe infection or losing her uterus. However, neither hospital would terminate the pregnancy because a fetal heartbeat was still detectable. The doctors at Freeman cited the statewide abortion ban as their reason for refusal.

At the University of Kansas Hospital, a doctor initially suggested inducing labor so Farmer could say goodbye to her daughter, whom she had named Maeve. However, the doctor later said her medical judgment had been overridden due to the "heated" political environment. The lawsuit alleges that the hospital abandoned Farmer without providing any treatment, not even antibiotics or Tylenol.

Impact on Farmer's Health and Life

Farmer returned to the hospital in Joplin for observation as her health deteriorated. On August 4, she drove several hours to an Illinois clinic while in labor and underwent an abortion there. The lawsuit claims that the prolonged miscarriage caused a preventable infection, leading to months of inability to work and loss of her home due to lost wages.

The lawsuit also mentions that Farmer found the experience so traumatic that she decided to have her tubes tied. She had expected the University of Kansas Hospital to be her "lifeline," but instead endured hours of agonizing labor in her car, fearing for her life.

A spokeswoman for the University of Kansas Health System stated that attorneys are reviewing the lawsuit and may issue a statement later. The hospital is accused of violating federal law requiring emergency rooms to treat or stabilize patients in active labor and provide medical transfers if necessary.

The lawsuit highlights the challenges faced by medical professionals in interpreting exceptions under new abortion bans. Missouri's ban allows exceptions for medical emergencies and when necessary to save the mother's life, but doctors were still grappling with what qualified as an exception during that summer.

Farmer's case underscores the complexities and risks involved in navigating abortion laws post-Roe v. Wade. Her experience has drawn attention to the need for clear guidelines and support for women facing similar situations.

The lawsuit seeks accountability from the University of Kansas Health System for its actions during Farmer's medical crisis. It aims to address the broader implications of restrictive abortion laws on women's health and safety.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the real-life consequences of legislative changes on individuals' lives and well-being. It calls for careful consideration of how such laws are implemented and their impact on those they affect most directly.