(Washington, D.C.): Earlier this week, the Wyoming Supreme Court ruled in a 4-1 decision that abortion is protected healthcare for “competent adults” under the state constitution, arguing “[t]he State did not meet its burden of demonstrating the Abortion Laws further the compelling interest of protecting unborn life without unduly infringing upon the woman’s fundamental right to make her own health care decisions.”
This decision overturned two pro-life laws in Wyoming, the first preventing all abortions with exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother, and the second preventing chemical abortions, including those mailed from another state.
Christine Smith, Director of Investigation at the Center for Client Safety, stated, “I am deeply disappointed by the recent court decision striking down Wyoming’s abortion restriction, as it reflects a reckless disregard for the lives of unborn children. These children matter just as much as every other person in the state of Wyoming, yet this ruling leaves them without protection or dignity. Wyoming should be a place where every human life is valued, not one where an entire group is denied its right to be protected.”
Carolyn McDonnell, Litigation Counsel for Americans United for Life, added, “The Wyoming Supreme Court’s decision is fundamentally flawed because elective abortion is not healthcare. The court overlooks the medical reality that there are two patients during pregnancy: the mother and unborn child. Ultimately, the decision will harm women and unborn children by curtailing the state’s power to restrain unscrupulous abortion practices.”
For more information or to arrange an interview with AUL, contact Gavin Oxley at press@aul.org or 202-987-3321.
Since 1971, Americans United for Life (AUL) has advanced the human right to life in culture, law, and policy by equipping advocates and lawmakers with the facts and strategies that change hearts and minds and protect human life. The first national pro-life organization in the country, AUL is a nonprofit, public-interest law and policy organization with a four-star rating from Charity Navigator.
