For Immediate Release: March 3, 2023
Contact: Kelsey Pritchard, [email protected]
Abortion Drug Safeguards, Maternal Health Care and Life Protection Bills Head to Governor’s Desk
CHEYENNE, Wyo. –Thursday evening the Wyoming Legislature passed new measures to protect unborn life and safeguard the health and safety of women and girls.
Legislators approved a bill to prohibit dangerous chemical abortion drugs, making Wyoming the first state in the country to pass legislation prohibiting the prescription of the dangerous abortion drug regimen that can cause hemorrhaging, the need for surgery and even death. The House and Senate also concurred to pass the Life is a Human Right Act to protect unborn children and their mother throughout pregnancy. The measure addresses the issues that have tied up Wyoming’s trigger law in litigation and would protect life immediately upon Gov. Mark Gordon’s signature.
The day prior, legislators passed a measure championed by Gov. Gordon to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from two months to a full year. In testimony, a Governor’s Office policy advisor shared that as a pro-life leader, Gordon “believes that this is an avenue to ensure that we take care of women and infants” and that providing physical and mental health care will allow those who qualify to be “a better parent and ultimately make the infant safer.”
SBA Pro-Life America’s Western Regional Director Adam Schwend shared his reaction:
“The 2023 legislative session is ending on a clear note that Wyoming values all human life, born and unborn, and the wellbeing of women. SBA Pro-Life America applauds every lawmaker who played a role in advancing safeguards against dangerous chemical abortion drugs, extending medical coverage for moms to a year after childbirth and protecting unborn children of all ages. We applaud legislators for being champions for the most vulnerable among us and advocates for the health, safety and security of mothers. We look forward to Gov. Gordon signing these bills and establishing Wyoming as a shining example of building a culture of life in the Dobbs era.”
HB 0004 – Sponsored by the House Committee on Labor, Health and Social Services, the Wyoming Medicaid Extension bill extends Medicaid coverage for any woman who has been pregnant within the previous 12 months. It is funded with $3.8M appropriated state and federal funds.
HB 0152 – Sponsored by Rep. Rachel Rodriguez Williams, the Wyoming Life is a Human Right Act will protect unborn babies from fertilization, with exceptions for the life and health of the mother, or if the pregnancy is a result of rape or incest. It also includes a defunding provision that would prohibit any appropriated funds from being used for abortion.
SF 0109 – This measure sponsored by Sen. Tim Salazar would prohibit prescribing or distribution of any drug for the purpose of causing an abortion. It would not apply to contraceptives or treatment for miscarriage, and includes an exception for life and health of the mother as well as rape and incest.
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.
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