EMTALA is primarily concerned with ensuring access to which of the following?

• A. An amendment to the Truth in Lending Act
• B. A privacy regulation for health information
• C. Ensuring emergency medical treatment and active labor services
• D. An incident reporting requirement for hospitals

Answer: (C)

EMTALA is about guaranteeing access to emergency care for anyone who comes to a hospital’s emergency department with an emergency medical condition, including active labor. The law requires a medical screening examination to determine if an emergency condition exists, followed by stabilization and treatment on-site, or an appropriate transfer if stabilization isn’t possible. It also protects patients from being refused or delayed care because of inability to pay. So the primary focus is ensuring emergency medical treatment and active labor services are provided when needed.

The other options describe different laws or regulations unrelated to EMTALA—one deals with consumer credit disclosures, another with privacy of health information, and another with incident reporting for hospitals.