Kansas Woman Sues Hospital Over Denied Medically Necessary Abortion

A Kansas woman, Mylissa Farmer, has filed a lawsuit against the University of Kansas Health System for refusing to provide a medically necessary abortion in 2022. Farmer alleges that the hospital violated a federal law and that political concerns influenced its decision. She is seeking damages for physical and emotional harm.

A Kansas woman, Mylissa Farmer, has initiated legal action against the University of Kansas Health System, accusing it of denying her a medically necessary abortion in 2022, thereby violating federal law.

Farmer's lawsuit, lodged in federal court in Kansas City, is notable as it may be the first of its kind after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn the nationwide right to abortion in June 2022. Hospital representatives have declined to comment on the case.

According to the lawsuit, Farmer sought emergency treatment for a pregnancy complication at 18 weeks, but the hospital did not perform the medically advised abortion, allegedly due to political concerns over a state referendum on abortion rights. Now, Farmer seeks unspecified damages for the physical and emotional suffering she endured, highlighting ongoing debates over emergency abortion laws.

(With inputs from agencies.)