Latest news with #WellspringHealthAccess
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Abortions set to resume at Wyoming's only clinic following court ruling
Wyoming's only abortion clinic will reopen and begin providing care after a judge on Monday suspended two laws restricting abortion in the state. Wellspring Health Access said it will resume abortions on Thursday, following a temporary injunction granted by a district court judge, which halted the laws from taking effect as the case progresses. One law would require clinics providing surgical abortions to be licensed as outpatient surgical centers. The other would require women to get an ultrasound before a medication abortion. The ultrasound legislation passed despite a veto from Gov. Mark Gordon (R). The clinic has been unable to see patients since the evening of Feb. 27, when Gordon signed the licensing requirement bill into law. The legislation required abortion clinics to be regulated as 'ambulatory surgical centers' and for physicians to have specific admitting privileges, licensing and data reporting requirements. Opponents say the licensing legislation is a type of TRAP law — an abbreviation for Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers — that singles out the medical practices of doctors who provide abortions and imposes requirements that are more costly and burdensome than those imposed on other medical practices. They are designed to regulate clinics and abortion access out of existence even if abortion remains legal. Julie Burkhart, Wellspring's president and founder, said the clinic will reopen on Thursday. 'We are delighted and relieved that we can once again see patients at our clinic in Casper. Individuals from every corner of Wyoming rely on us for quality, reliable reproductive health care,' Burkhart said in a statement. 'We look forward to reopening our doors — starting Thursday — and welcoming patients from across the Mountain region and beyond.' Wyoming has sought to enact two abortion bans since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022: one banning abortion broadly, and another banning abortion medication specifically. Both were declared unconstitutional by a state judge in November. The Wyoming Supreme Court heard arguments in that case last week but is unlikely to rule for several months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
22-04-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Abortions set to resume at Wyoming's only clinic following court ruling
Wyoming's only abortion clinic will reopen and begin providing care after a judge on Monday suspended two laws restricting abortion in the state. Wellspring Health Access said it will resume abortions on Thursday, following a temporary injunction granted by a district court judge, which halted the laws from taking effect as the case progresses. One law would require clinics providing surgical abortions to be licensed as outpatient surgical centers. The other would require women to get an ultrasound before a medication abortion. The ultrasound legislation passed despite a veto from Gov. Mark Gordon (R). The clinic has been unable to see patients since the evening of Feb. 27, when Gordon signed the licensing requirement bill into law. The legislation required abortion clinics to be regulated as 'ambulatory surgical centers' and for physicians to have specific admitting privileges, licensing and data reporting requirements. Opponents say the licensing legislation is a type of TRAP law — an abbreviation for Targeted Regulations of Abortion Providers — that singles out the medical practices of doctors who provide abortions and imposes requirements that are more costly and burdensome than those imposed on other medical practices. They are designed to regulate clinics and abortion access out of existence even if abortion remains legal. Julie Burkhart, Wellspring's president and founder, said the clinic will reopen on Thursday. 'We are delighted and relieved that we can once again see patients at our clinic in Casper. Individuals from every corner of Wyoming rely on us for quality, reliable reproductive health care,' Burkhart said in a statement. 'We look forward to reopening our doors — starting Thursday — and welcoming patients from across the Mountain region and beyond.' Wyoming has sought to enact two abortion bans since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022: one banning abortion broadly, and another banning abortion medication specifically. Both were declared unconstitutional by a state judge in November. The Wyoming Supreme Court heard arguments in that case last week but is unlikely to rule for several months.
Business Mayor
22-04-2025
- Health
- Business Mayor
Wyoming clinic resumes abortions after judge suspends state regulations
Wyoming's only abortion clinic is resuming abortions after a judge on Monday suspended two state laws. One suspended law would require clinics providing surgical abortions to be licensed as outpatient surgical centers. The other would require patients to get an ultrasound before a medication abortion. Wyoming Health Access in Casper had stopped providing abortions on 28 February, the day after the Republican governor, Mark Gordon, signed the licensing requirement into effect. The result: at least some people seeking abortions had to travel out of state. Now, people will once again be able to get abortions in central Wyoming while the two laws continue to be contested in court, Wellspring Health Access's founder and president, Julie Burkhart, said on Monday. 'We are immediately shouting it from the rooftop to make sure our patients know,' Burkhart said following the ruling. 'We are back to seeing patients the way we were on February 27.' An abortion opponent questioned the need to contest the laws if the clinic was safe. 'The abortion business here in Casper could prove that they are providing safe services by complying with laws. Would that not make their point?' Ross Schriftman, the president of Natrona county Right to Life, said in an email statement on Monday. Abortion has remained legal in Wyoming despite bans passed since 2022. The bans include the nation's first explicit ban on abortion pills. A judge in Jackson blocked the bans then struck them down in November on the grounds that abortion is allowed by a 2012 state constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of competent adults to make their own healthcare decisions. Read More Employees told they shouldn't bring cake to the office The Wyoming supreme court heard arguments in that case on Wednesday and is unlikely to rule for at least several weeks. Meanwhile, the same people challenging the bans – Wellspring Health Access, the abortion access advocacy group Chelsea's Fund, and four women, including two obstetricians – have sued to block Wyoming's most recent two abortion laws. The surgical center licensing requirement would require costly renovations to make Wellspring Health Access compliant, the clinic said in its lawsuit. Gordon vetoed the requirement for an ultrasound at least 48 hours before a pill abortion, calling it onerous in cases of abuse, rape or when a person's health is at risk. State lawmakers voted to override the veto on 5 March. The ultrasound requirement did not significantly affect clinic operations but Wellspring Health Access also suspended offering pill abortions to avoid legal complications. The law stands to add to the cost and complications for patients getting pill abortions. Opponents call laws like Wyoming's requirements 'targeted restrictions on abortion providers' because they can regulate clinics and abortion access out of existence even if abortion remains legal. In blocking the laws while the lawsuit proceeds, district judge Thomas Campbell in Casper ruled that they too stand to violate the constitution. Despite the new restrictions, Wellspring Health Access has remained open to consult with patients and provide hormone replacement therapy for transgender patients. The clinic opened in 2023, almost a year late after heavy damage from an arson attack.
The Guardian
21-04-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
Wyoming clinic resumes abortions after judge suspends state regulations
Wyoming's only abortion clinic is resuming abortions after a judge on Monday suspended two state laws. One suspended law would require clinics providing surgical abortions to be licensed as outpatient surgical centers. The other would require women to get an ultrasound before a medication abortion. Wyoming Health Access in Casper had stopped providing abortions on 28 February, the day after the Republican governor, Mark Gordon, signed the licensing requirement into effect. The result: at least some people seeking abortions had to travel out of state. Now, people will once again be able to get abortions in central Wyoming while the two laws continue to be contested in court, Wellspring Health Access's founder and president, Julie Burkhart, said on Monday. 'We are immediately shouting it from the rooftop to make sure our patients know,' Burkhart said following the ruling. 'We are back to seeing patients the way we were on February 27.' An abortion opponent questioned the need to contest the laws if the clinic was safe. 'The abortion business here in Casper could prove that they are providing safe services by complying with laws. Would that not make their point?' Ross Schriftman, the president of Natrona County Right to Life, said in an email statement on Monday. Abortion has remained legal in Wyoming despite bans passed since 2022. The bans include the nation's first explicit ban on abortion pills. A judge in Jackson blocked the bans then struck them down in November on the grounds that abortion is allowed by a 2012 state constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right of competent adults to make their own health care decisions. The Wyoming supreme court heard arguments in that case on Wednesday and is unlikely to rule for at least several weeks. Meanwhile, the same people challenging the bans – Wellspring Health Access, the abortion access advocacy group Chelsea's Fund, and four women, including two obstetricians – have sued to block Wyoming's most recent two abortion laws. The surgical center licensing requirement would require costly renovations to make Wellspring Health Access compliant, the clinic said in its lawsuit. Gordon vetoed the requirement for an ultrasound at least 48 hours before a pill abortion, calling it onerous in cases of abuse, rape or when a person's health is at risk. State lawmakers voted to override the veto on 5 March. The ultrasound requirement did not significantly affect clinic operations but Wellspring Health Access also suspended offering pill abortions to avoid legal complications. The law stands to add to the cost and complications for women getting pill abortions. Opponents call laws like Wyoming's requirements 'targeted restrictions on abortion providers' because they can regulate clinics and abortion access out of existence even if abortion remains legal. In blocking the laws while the lawsuit proceeds, district judge Thomas Campbell in Casper ruled that they too stand to violate the constitution. Despite the new restrictions, Wellspring Health Access has remained open to consult with patients and provide hormone replacement therapy for transgender patients. The clinic opened in 2023, almost a year late after heavy damage from an arson attack.
CNN
21-04-2025
- Health
- CNN
A Wyoming judge suspends abortion clinic regulations while a lawsuit proceeds
Wyoming's only abortion clinic can resume providing surgical abortions after a judge on Monday suspended two state laws. District Judge Thomas Campbell issued the ruling in a lawsuit filed by Wellspring Health Access and others to challenge the laws. One law requires clinics providing surgical abortions to be licensed as outpatient surgical centers and the other requires women to get an ultrasound before a medication abortion. Wellspring Health Access stopped providing abortions February 28, the day after Republican Gov. Mark Gordon signed the licensing requirement into law. The clinic has continued to provide hormone replacement therapy for transgender patients. Gordon vetoed the requirement for an ultrasound at least 48 hours before a pill abortion, calling it onerous in cases of abuse, rape, or when a woman's health is at risk. State lawmakers voted to override the veto March 5. Opponents call laws like Wyoming's requirements 'targeted restrictions on abortion providers' because they can regulate clinics and abortion access out of existence even if abortion remains legal. The surgical center licensing requirement would require costly renovations to make Wellspring Health Access compliant, the clinic said in its lawsuit. The ultrasound requirement did not significantly affect clinic operations but Wellspring Health Access also suspended offering pill abortions to avoid legal complications. The clinic opened in 2023, almost a year late after heavy damage from an arson attack. Abortion has remained legal in Wyoming while the same groups and women challenge state abortion bans passed since 2022 that include the first explicit ban on abortion pills in the U.S. Arguments before the state Supreme Court in that case were made April 16 in Cheyenne. A state district court judge ruled in November that the bans violated the Wyoming Constitution, specifically a 2012 amendment that says competent adults have the right to make their own health care decisions.
