What is the main penalty for EMTALA violations aside from fines?

The main penalty for violations of the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), aside from fines, is the loss of Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement. This consequence is significant because many hospitals rely heavily on these federal programs for a substantial portion of their funding. EMTALA mandates that hospitals provide a medical screening examination to patients presenting at their emergency departments regardless of their ability to pay. Failure to comply with these requirements can lead to a cessation of financial support from Medicare and Medicaid, which can severely impact a hospital's operations and its ability to provide care.

Loss of nonprofit status, license suspension, and public service requirements are not the primary consequences of EMTALA violations. While these issues might arise in other contexts or through other regulatory frameworks, the immediate and most impactful penalty related to EMTALA primarily centers around reimbursement issues with Medicare and Medicaid programs.