Wyoming Lawmakers Override Governor’s Veto on Ultrasound Requirement for Pill Abortions
In a significant move, Wyoming lawmakers have overridden Governor Mark Gordon’s veto of a bill that mandates women seeking pill abortions to undergo an ultrasound beforehand. The Senate voted 22-9 on Wednesday, following a 45-16 vote by the House on Tuesday, to override the governor’s veto. This decision makes Wyoming the first state to explicitly require an ultrasound for pill abortions, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from abortion rights advocates. The new law took effect immediately, continuing a trend of restrictive abortion policies in the state over the past three years, though many of these measures are currently on hold pending a case before the Wyoming Supreme Court.
Governor Gordon’s Veto and Legislative Override
Governor Mark Gordon, a Republican, had vetoed the bill on Monday, questioning its necessity and reasonableness, particularly for victims of rape and incest. However, lawmakers argued that the measure was necessary to protect women’s well-being and ensure informed decision-making. Republican Sen. Darin Smith of Cheyenne defended the override, stating, “He’s very concerned about the psychological effects of this procedure, but what about the psychological effects of having an abortion, for the rest of your life?” The two-thirds majority required for the override was comfortably achieved in both chambers, reflecting strong support for the measure among legislators. Despite the governor’s concerns, the law now requires women to undergo an ultrasound before obtaining abortion pills, a requirement that critics argue adds unnecessary barriers to access.
Critics Condemn the Law as Unconstitutional and Harmful
Abortion rights advocates have been vocal in their opposition to the new law, calling it unconstitutional, unnecessary, and unreasonable. Christine Lichtenfels, executive director of Chelsea’s Fund, a Wyoming-based abortion access advocacy group, issued a statement expressing disappointment and a commitment to challenge the law in court. “We are saddened that so many legislators lack empathy and respect for women’s decision-making authority,” Lichtenfels said, “but we stand ready to fight this unconstitutional, unnecessary, and unreasonable bill in court.” Critics argue that the law unfairly burdens women, particularly those in rural areas who may have to travel long distances to access an ultrasound provider.
The law also raises concerns about the availability of abortion services in Wyoming, which has seen a significant reduction in providers in recent months. Wellspring Health Access in Casper, the state’s only full-service abortion clinic, ceased providing abortion care last week after Governor Gordon signed a bill requiring such facilities to be licensed as surgical centers. Julie Burkhart, president of Wellspring Health Access, expressed concerns about compliance with the new law while the organization challenges it in court. The situation at Wyoming’s other clinic, a family medicine practice in Jackson that provided medication abortions, remains unclear, as there was no response to requests for comment.
Details of the New Law and Its Implications
Under Wyoming’s new law, women seeking pill abortions must first undergo an ultrasound, and the results must be documented. While women are not required to view the fetal image, they must be given the opportunity to do so at least 48 hours before taking the abortion pills. However, the law does not penalize women for not obtaining an ultrasound; instead, it imposes penalties on medical providers who fail to arrange the procedure. Providers who violate the law could face fines of up to $9,000 and up to six months in jail. This provision has raised concerns about the potential chilling effect on healthcare providers, many of whom may opt not to provide abortion services to avoid legal repercussions.
The requirement for an ultrasound adds another layer of complexity to an already restricted landscape for abortion access in Wyoming. Existing state law already mandates that abortion providers offer an ultrasound to women seeking abortions, but the new law goes further by making it a requirement for medication abortions. While some states require ultrasounds for women seeking abortions, Wyoming is the first to explicitly outlaw pill abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research organization that supports abortion rights. Ten other states require abortion providers to perform ultrasounds on women seeking abortions, but Wyoming’s law is unique in its explicit ban on pill abortions.
The Future of Abortion Access in Wyoming
Despite the new law, medication abortions remain accessible in Wyoming through remote services, such as the Just the Pill telehealth service and online providers like Aid Access. According to Chelsea’s Fund, these services allow women to obtain abortion pills without having to visit a clinic in person. The Guttmacher Institute reports that more than three in five abortions carried out in the U.S. through the formal healthcare system in 2023 were medication abortions. In Wyoming, this proportion was even higher, with 19 out of 20 abortions being medication abortions. However, the new law could further limit access for women who are unable or unwilling to use telehealth services, particularly those in rural areas with limited access to healthcare providers.
The passage of this law reflects a broader trend of state-level abortion restrictions across the U.S., as conservative legislatures and governors seek to limit access to abortion in anticipation of further legal challenges. While the law is now in effect, its long-term impact remains uncertain, as it faces legal challenges from abortion rights advocates. For now, women in Wyoming will have to navigate an increasingly complex and restrictive landscape to access abortion care, a situation that critics argue undermines women’s autonomy and access to essential healthcare.
This new law is the latest chapter in a ongoing debate over abortion rights in Wyoming, a debate that is likely to continue in the courts and the legislature for years to come. As the legal landscape continues to shift, the ability of women in Wyoming to access safe and affordable abortion care remains a critical issue, one that will have far-reaching implications for reproductive health and rights in the state.
