A recent call to Wyoming’s only abortion clinic left one woman facing unexpected obstacles. Though abortion remains legal in the state, access has been significantly limited due to new regulations that recently prompted the state’s sole clinic to temporarily halt services.
The woman, who requested anonymity due to concerns over privacy and stigma in her community, learned the clinic had ceased offering abortions that very day. The facility, located in Casper, had stopped procedures in response to newly implemented state requirements mandating that it operate as a licensed surgical center a designation that could require up to $500,000 in renovations, according to clinic officials.
Although abortion remains technically legal, these new legal and logistical barriers are making it harder for patients to receive care in-state. In the woman’s case, the closest alternative was over the border in Colorado, requiring a round trip of more than eight hours.
The Wyoming Supreme Court is set to hear arguments this week regarding the constitutionality of abortion restrictions passed by the state legislature. A lower court had previously blocked and struck down several of these laws. Even if the state’s highest court upholds those rulings, access remains complicated by additional regulatory measures and practical limitations.
Among the new laws is a requirement that any clinic performing abortions be licensed as an outpatient surgical center. The law also mandates that providers hold admitting privileges at a hospital within 10 miles a condition that may be difficult to meet, as local hospitals are not obligated to grant those privileges.
A separate law requires patients to undergo an ultrasound at least 48 hours prior to a medication abortion. In a rural state like Wyoming, this can be a substantial hurdle, both financially and logistically, with costs upwards of $250 and limited access to ultrasound services in remote areas.
An attorney representing the state argued that these laws fall within the legislature’s authority to regulate medical procedures and ensure patient safety. He noted that such measures are designed to prevent complications, however rare, and maintain medical oversight.
While Governor Mark Gordon signed the surgical center requirement into law earlier this year, he vetoed the ultrasound provision, expressing concern over its potential impact—particularly for survivors of sexual assault. However, the legislature overrode his veto, prompting legal action from the clinic, advocacy groups, and individual plaintiffs.
Wellspring Health Access, which began operations in 2023 after recovering from an arson attack, has since suspended both medication and surgical abortions while litigation proceeds. If the court grants a temporary block on the new laws, services may resume.
At a recent court hearing in Casper, community members on both sides of the debate made their voices heard. One local anti-abortion advocate expressed concern about the clinic operating without additional inspections and oversight, citing patient safety and continuity of care.
Others, including former Wyoming residents, pointed out the challenges rural women face in seeking care. “In a place like Wyoming, where towns are far apart and winters are harsh, traveling hours out of state can be a serious burden,” said one woman who previously traveled to Colorado for the procedure.
Clinic representatives argue that patient demand for abortion care remains steady and that the imposed restrictions are out of step with public need. “We’ve had patients come through our doors every week,” said the clinic’s founder. “If people didn’t support this care, we wouldn’t still be here.”
The Wyoming woman who initially contacted the clinic ultimately made the trip to Colorado, where she was able to complete the procedure. Though it was not a path she expected to take, she said the experience reshaped her understanding of the challenges others face.
“It made me realize how many people go through this quietly, and how difficult it really can be logistically and emotionally,” she said. “It gave me a whole new level of empathy.”
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