Document ID: ./input/supremecourt_opinions/opinions/23pdf/23-726_6jgm.pdf
Page Number: 29

6 

MOYLE v. UNITED STATES 

ALITO, J., dissenting 

any “increased risks” to the woman “and, in the case of la-
bor,  to  the  unborn  child.”    §§1395dd(c)(1)(A)(ii),  (e)(1)(B).
Thus, regardless of whether a hospital chooses to treat or 
transfer  a  pregnant  woman,  it  must  strive  to  protect  her 
“unborn child” from harm. 

The  Government  struggles  mightily—but  unsuccess-
fully—to get around this language.  First, the Government 
argues that EMTALA’s repeated use of the term “individ-
ual,”  coupled  with  the  Dictionary  Act’s  definition  of  that 
term, which does not include an “unborn child,”3 shows that 
“[a]ll  of  EMTALA’s  duties—screening,  stabilization,  and 
transfer—run  to  the  ‘individual’  seeking  care.”  Brief  for 
United  States  41.  That  assertion  falls  flat  in  light  of 
EMTALA’s express protection of the unborn child. 

Besides, there is a simple explanation for EMTALA’s re-
peated use of the term “individual,” and it provides no sup-
port for the Government’s interpretation.  Most of those ref-
erences involve conduct in which only the pregnant woman
can engage, such as going to an emergency room,4 receiving
medical information,5 consenting to or refusing treatment,6 
or filing suit.7  Many references concern transfer to another 
facility,8  and  when  a  pregnant  woman  is  transferred,  her
“unborn child” obviously goes with her.  Another reference 
concerns a woman’s “emergency medical condition,” which,
as  noted,  includes  conditions  that  jeopardize  her  “unborn 

—————— 

3 The  Dictionary  Act  defines  an  “individual”  to  “include  every  infant 
member  of  the  species  homo  sapiens  who  is  born  alive  at  any  stage  of 
development.”  1 U. S. C. §8(a).  But it goes on to provide that this defi-
nition  is  not  to  “be  construed  to  . . .  deny  . . .  any  legal  status  or  legal 
right applicable to any member of the species homo sapiens at any point
prior to being ‘born alive.’ ”  §8(c).  Thus, the Act itself provides no support 
for the Government’s position. 

4 §1395dd(a). 
5 §1395dd(c)(1)(A)(i). 
6 §1395dd(b)(2). 
7 §1395dd(d)(2)(A). 
8 §§1395dd(b)(3), (c), (e)(4).