California Attorney General Rob Bonta has issued a statement ahead of a court hearing concerning emergency abortion care at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, California. The hearing, scheduled for tomorrow in Humboldt County Superior Court, will address Providence’s attempt to modify or dissolve a previous stipulation requiring the hospital to provide emergency abortion services.
The case began when Attorney General Bonta filed a lawsuit on September 30, 2024, alleging that Providence violated several laws by refusing to provide emergency abortion care needed to protect the life and health of patients. These laws include California’s Emergency Services Law and the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which are designed to ensure access to emergency medical treatment.
On October 29, 2024, Providence agreed through a voluntary stipulation to provide such care. The court then issued an order mandating compliance with this agreement. However, on June 5, 2025, Bonta filed a motion to enforce the stipulation after Providence sought changes that could limit its obligations.
“Providence is attempting to go back on its word. It agreed to provide emergency abortion care, yet it is now asking the court to allow it to reverse course. This is not only disappointing, it’s troubling: It stands to put the women of Humboldt County back in harm’s way,” said Attorney General Bonta. “My team and I look forward to tomorrow’s hearing. We firmly believe that Providence is in the wrong. Earlier this year, we successfully blocked Providence’s meritless attempt to dismiss our lawsuit, and I am confident that we will prevail again. Whether the attacks are coming from the Trump Administration or from within our state, I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that California remains a safe haven for those seeking essential reproductive healthcare.”
Providence remains the only hospital in Humboldt County where women can seek emergency abortion care. The hospital’s efforts to change or end the stipulation raise concerns about whether it intends to fully comply with legal requirements for providing such care.
Attorney General Bonta has encouraged individuals who have been denied necessary emergency abortions or other medical care at hospitals in California to contact his office at abortion.access@doj.ca.gov. He also recently launched a statewide survey aimed at evaluating how well hospital emergency departments are adhering to laws regarding emergency reproductive healthcare.
The upcoming hearing will take place in Department 4 of Humboldt County Superior Court at 10:30 AM PT and will be accessible virtually through this link: https://www.humboldt.courts.ca.gov/general-information/remote-appearances.
A copy of Attorney General Bonta’s latest filing supporting his motion can be found here: https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/2024-06-05%20Consolidated%20Brief.pdf.
