Here is some new info. I received from a mom about filing a grievance with DHS about the hospital banning VBAC.

Thanks again for all of your help.  I will continue my fight - and for now, I am just going to plan on using my same doctor and just showing up in labor with my heart and mind set on refusing surgery.  I may get treated like crap, but the Arkansas Dept. of Health and Human Services has already told me that ....... Mem. can not force me into surgery and it would be at least a $50,000 fine.  I don't know if I told you this or not, but I called them to file a grievance about the lack of birthing choices at ........  She called me back a few days later only to tell me that until I was an actual patient of the hospitals that there wasn't anything they could do for me, BUT to call them the minute I pre-registered and re-open my grievance.  Pre-registrtaion counts you as a techinal patient.  We are supposed to pre-register one month in advance, so that will give DHHS 30+ days to take action BEFORE the baby gets here. 


This is good info. to have if you are planning to deliver at a hosital that bans VBAC- but be sure to know your rights and study informed refusal rules so that you doctor cant "dump"you.  According to EMTALA the hospital has to take you if you show up in active labor BUT your doctor can dump you as a patient as long as they give you 30 days notice and a referal.  At least that is how I undertsand it- if anyone has more info. on these regulations please let us know.