Schulte partner Taleah Jennings quoted in The Imprint on pro bono client’s fight against discrimination

Schulte Roth & Zabel partner Taleah Jennings recently discussed pro bono client Nicole Costin’s lawsuit against Glens Falls Hospital for its discriminatory policies against birthing mothers.  

In an ongoing civil rights lawsuit, Costin says she faced discrimination by hospital staff during the birth of her second child for use of a legal medication that was prescribed by her doctor. After disclosing her prescription to Subutex, a widely used medication to treat substance use disorder, a federally-recognized medical condition, she was covertly drug-tested for other substances and reported to child protective services. Even after testing negative, she was denied medications to assist with labor, the opportunity to hold and bond with her baby immediately after birth, and was prevented from a timely discharge from the hospital.

“She did everything the right way. She disclosed everything at the appropriate times,” said Jennings. “And then she was penalized because of it.”  

Costin hopes her lawsuit will force Glens Falls and other hospitals with similar practices to improve their treatment of patients on recovery medications. Jennings praised for Costin for having the courage to brave public scrutiny and seek justice on behalf of pregnant moms and babies. “She realizes that this is bigger than just her,” Jennings said. 

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