FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Abortion will remain legal in Wyoming as the state Supreme Court overturned laws that included a ban on abortion pills, declaring them unconstitutional. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, follows a lawsuit filed by the state's only abortion clinic and other advocacy groups asserting that the bans conflict with the Wyoming constitution, particularly its amendment ensuring the right to make health care decisions.
The legal battle began after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, leading to a series of restrictive laws in various states. Wellspring Health Access in Casper, Chelsea’s Fund, and several women including medical professionals contended that the laws infringe upon their rights.
In defense, state attorneys argued that abortion does not qualify as health care, thereby not violating the constitution. Despite this argument, the state Supreme Court's justices concluded that the amendment's language may not specifically address abortion, but it is not their role to alter or add wording.
The ruling did indicate that lawmakers could potentially propose a constitutional amendment to clarify the issue, which might be presented to voters in the future. Governor Mark Gordon expressed disappointment over the court's decision, suggesting that a constitutional amendment to ban abortion should be pursued.
Similarly, the laws that were struck down aimed to restrict abortion access severely, allowing it only when the life of the pregnant woman is at risk or in cases of rape or incest. One law sought to make Wyoming the first state to explicitly ban abortion pills, amidst growing concerns over medication abortion access nationwide.
While the Supreme Court's decision halts the enforcement of these bans, it also leaves room for future legislative actions by the statehouse, which holds a Republican majority and may propose further restrictions on abortion access.
