Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA)
The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is a (http://www.paklinks.com/wiki/United_States)Act of Congress passed in 1986 as part of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). It requires hospitals](http://www.paklinks.com/wiki/Hospital) and ambulance](http://www.paklinks.com/wiki/Ambulance) services to provide care to anyone needing emergency healthcare](http://www.paklinks.com/wiki/Emergency_healthcare) treatment regardless of **citizenship](http://www.paklinks.com/wiki/Citizenship), legal status or ability to pay. There are no reimbursement provisions.** As a result of the act, patients needing emergency treatment can be discharged only under their own informed consent or when their condition requires transfer to a hospital better equipped to administer the treatment.