Pregnant In Prison: ACLU case protects access to medical care

Does a pregnant woman in jail have a right to medical care? This video is about an ACLU case in Montana where a local detention facility denied medically necessary care to a pregnant woman, putting her health and pregnancy at great risk.
Learn more at:
http://www.aclu.org/reproductive-freedom
Produced for the ACLU by Joel Engardio and Amy Cannata

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• ACLU
• pregnant
• medical
• care
• jail

[beefygoblin]

The fact they actualy had to pull her out, means there was little denial of the withholding of said drug, and she was undergoing treatment. Meaning she is no more a drug addict than George Bush jr is (as a former booze user, sure it's legal, but it's no less addictive...hence his recovery story).

Just becouse your an addict doesn't mean you don't have rights. Don't be a schmuck.

[rwstoney]

@LEONLOVINIT - My opinion is based mostly on the statements, referenced in the complaint, made by Dr. Kenneth Cairns. He is not a "known drug addict." "Probable Cause" as to whether or not the actions of the defendants in this civil case rise to the level of being criminal does not need to be determined only from testimony given in court.

It is deeply disturbing that a member of the law enforcement community would even use the phrase "People like her."

[BrianDWalker3445]

diarhia ? ewww

[xXxSweetxXxLolitaxXx]

@LEONLOVINIT Even if you have no sympathy for her, at least show some emotion for her unborn child at the time. By not giving the mother the medication she needed, they could have caused her to miscarry.

[sinnomngrl418]

rwstoney is correct across the board.Addiction IS A DISEASE.It has been classified that way by The AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION,who arent exactly known to be a bunch of freewheeling hippies.A disease has to meet specific criteria,and addiction meets all of them.Would a diabetic be denied Insulin in jail? What happened here IS criminal,and all those involved should be held accountable.

[nannamom1]

In answer to your question. Yes she was an addict but she was in recovery and taking a medication to help her manage that addiction. The jail withheld that medication from her and that is what caused her withdrawal. Without that medication she would loose her baby. She was not abusing drugs any longer, she was in treatment.

[luvingram61]

bottom line,she was denied her medication, that officer scares me!

[lovajj]

This women is a joke.If she really cared abut her baby she would not have done drugs.Yes she should be charged with endangering a newborn fetus.Sounds like she wants to get money for her habit.

[LEONLOVINIT]

And one last comment.. the plaintiff will likely win this case on paper as it is a proven fact that insurance companies do not have the stamina to fight a drawn out court case. Their Attorney will likely recommend a settlement to avoid a long and expensive court battle.

[LEONLOVINIT]

This however is but the opinion of a lowely public servant who deals with the worst of society so that others can sleep a little safer at night. I love my work and do feel for the people who have gone the route that this young lady has. Empathy I feel, sympathy I do not.

[LEONLOVINIT]

As in any civil action this is a "he said she said" situation. If the jail withheld medication at the advice of the facilities medical professional then no, they're not liable. All detetention facilities have a policy manual that is to be followed. If in this case it wasn't, well then heads should roll. It's easy to sit in rightious indignation when presented with one opinion on what the facts are in a case. We as a society must be held accountable for our actions both civilian and professional.