When Lives Become Ghosts: Advancing Medical Civil Rights.
The Journal of emergency medicine · 2026-04-11 · Other / unclear
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Due to limits in state and federal law in the United States, little is known about the health and health care delivery to persons experiencing medical crises during contact with law enforcement officers. DISCUSSION: Federally, and in 49 U.S. states, persons lack a statutory right to emergency medical care during law enforcement interactions. Additionally, limits in state and federal law preclude systematic data collection regarding the health and health care delivery to persons in these circumstances. CONCLUSION: With the implementation of the statutory changes proposed in this article, all persons in the United States would be guaranteed a statutory right to emergency medical care during direct contact with law enforcement officers. Further, complete data could be collected regarding the prevalence, nature and handling of medical emergencies among persons held in custody, as well as among persons experiencing medical crises during interactions with law enforcement officers in the field.