[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6672003,"mediaKeyId","2138631-2de3f49e1ed4da5540fcca2925cdee4d","parentId",2138631,"title","Lawmakers hear bill to treat surgical abortion facilities as ambulatory surgical centers; hearing to continue Friday","audioSeconds",1185,"startMs",6030000,"endMs",7215000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138631-2de3f49e1ed4da5540fcca2925cdee4d&start=6030&end=7215","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138631-2de3f49e1ed4da5540fcca2925cdee4d/thumbnail_6030000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6672003/Wyoming/Lawmakers-hear-bill-to-treat-surgical-abortion-facilities-as-ambulatory-surgical-centers-hearing-to-continue-Friday","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672003-20002a2f2bb04f20c70e532289e3e279/orig.mp4?Expires=1775615587&Signature=Aw4cKHWLVhYdYGDhk-lTqtzKL~Dk735grRHHNpYngfzcmc-DuYXGzsxN~7t3C7H2W-0EQbqk~wQLtLI8FaLQmh1HsQ38PAsZaQv9Qr44qbzc0-gwvpadPRYqFxyOXjIqmAFzsygLaYLLIwfVAfUuQkAUYItLU3ElGUEl0JNP9gdvE8wUPwLANHkjU38HOF2yOdIIvWYAtUncctvCv~rNYc424clyyqnxr~9AxawwiEa5nR0Y9ZZcJHUDKHK2NyPy8~22GR2EW2Q~TniYtDu5yXflsbGaZnrI0hiugIGY3-jPOvs5HbNHW4KY8lErEGHV8OkXaxlCvhE8E4YrXkoepA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wyoming Legislature","date","2025-01-22T16:58:47.113Z","article","Representative Martha Lawley introduced House Bill 42, which would require facilities performing surgical abortions to be licensed and regulated as ambulatory surgical centers, and the committee heard initial testimony before deferring further public comment to a later meeting.

Under the bill, a surgical abortion facility would be defined as an ambulatory surgical center and subject to ambulatory surgical‑center licensure and survey requirements. The bill would require facilities to report surgical abortions to the Department of Health, require licensed physicians performing abortions to have hospital admitting privileges (the bill specifies privileges at a hospital not more than 10 miles away), and make licenses nontransferable. Penalties for failure to comply were included; committee staff noted a typographical correction to an apparent fine amount in an LSO amendment to replace an unintended million‑dollar value with $1,000.

Stefan Johansen, director of the Wyoming Department of Health, told the committee that the Department of Health's Office of Healthcare Licensing and Survey already surveys ambulatory surgical centers on a roughly multi‑year cycle and could incorporate the additional provider type into current processes. He also noted the bill did not include a department fiscal note and that survey responsibilities would be added to existing workflows; the department indicated it believed it could absorb the duties under current operations but flagged the addition of regulatory tasks.

Public commenters already in the hearing strongly opposed the bill, arguing it amounted to a targeted regulation of abortion providers (TRAP) that would increase costs and threaten the only clinic in the state that provides both medication and procedural abortions. Wellspring Health Access said the facility would face costly construction and facility upgrades to comply and that hospital admitting privileges are often impossible to obtain for physicians who do not admit hospital patients regularly.

\"To comply with this trap bill, it would force us to undergo extensive construction on our clinic... expanding hallways, altering the dimensions of our procedure rooms, changing out our HVAC system,\" said Katie Knetter, executive director of Wellspring Health Access. Dr. Renee Hinkle, an OB‑GYN in Cheyenne, said many routine office procedures already use imaging and that surgical abortion is among the safer procedures compared with risks of pregnancy.

Committee members raised rural‑access concerns about the bill's 10‑mile admitting‑privilege requirement and suggested possible adjustments, such as measuring distance to the nearest hospital when geography makes the 10‑mile rule impractical. The committee agreed to continue public comment on Friday and reconvene to complete testimony and take further action.

No committee vote was taken on House Bill 42 during the session; the hearing was continued.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 42 — No committee vote recorded; public comment to resume at the next scheduled committee meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, January 22, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Representative Martha Lawley introduced House Bill 42 to require licensure and ambulatory surgical‑center standards for surgical abortion facilities; the Department of Health described implementation mechanics and public comment will continue at a later meeting.","taxTitle","Labor, Health & Social Services Committee, House of Representative, Committees, Legislative, Wyoming","taxId",61353,"location","Wyoming","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6672009,"Committee advances 48‑hour ultrasound requirement for medication abortion after hours of testimony",4840,1161000,6001000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138631-2de3f49e1ed4da5540fcca2925cdee4d&start=1161&end=6001","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138631-2de3f49e1ed4da5540fcca2925cdee4d/thumbnail_1161000.jpg","/articles/6672009/Wyoming/Committee-advances-48hour-ultrasound-requirement-for-medication-abortion-after-hours-of-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672009-a59bca5d5b809920ec1a5f3a20a1f8c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1775615587&Signature=YDEiSNmPn3cURUWZVsdM6jqcacWNTENmQU9zeTf~9T6UXAwzjSfRCFU4hxAMZ4An666uEmAyMggQ4L1R40JoCnvj9dfivVeik2iwq1kzC1ysuGNV4O1Wea30qlKX7wXViG8quvBXUaNsAKjLkiiwGPIIKP~CQWZ1ynPQ7y1lZCgRRVJ0OtDidACwzexHnyBjdIFA3eAEG8be09z~Mma2XJ1ej7nO6wPCVD8p8VW6ItbBUGH9QTdJJ6bK56-zbWIm1hBIDiShVFiTJeeyXn0M8Oog5RLzliV5YVuD8jJJsROED6f~1rQltwUl2fm-hhF3tXYZtYhdpea93JxYihTvqA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee advanced House Bill 64, which would require a pregnant person to receive an ultrasound at least 48 hours before receiving medication for a chemical (medication) abortion and to be given the opportunity to view an active ultrasound and, if audible, hear fetal cardiac activity.

Representative Chip Nyman, the bill sponsor, framed the measure as a patient‑safety and compassion provision. He told the committee that chemical abortions have increased and that an ultrasound is necessary to confirm gestational age, rule out ectopic pregnancy and protect a woman's health.

\"The performance of an ultrasound is standard of care for any proposed obstetrical or gynecological procedure,\" Nyman said in his opening remarks, adding that \"an ultrasound ... establishes the age and weight and location of that pregnancy.\" He said the FDA‑approved chemical abortion regimen is authorized only through 10 weeks' gestation and argued that medications sent by mail without an exam can place women at risk.

Opponents, including medical providers and reproductive‑rights groups, said the bill would interfere with the doctor‑patient relationship, delay care for rural patients and impose medically unnecessary mandates. Katie Knetter, executive director of Wellspring Health Access, the state's procedural and medication abortion provider, said a 48‑hour waiting requirement would push some patients past the window for medication abortion and could force them to undergo procedural abortion instead.

\"This creates an additional burden for women in rural areas who must already travel to seek healthcare,\" Knetter said. \"According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, most abortion care globally is provided without ultrasound examination. It should be left to the evaluating physician to decide if an ultrasound is necessary.\"

Dr. Renee Hinkle, an OB‑GYN in Cheyenne, told the committee that current standards of care do not require routine ultrasound for medication abortion when patients meet screening criteria and that complications from medication abortion are rare relative to the risks of pregnancy.

Advocacy groups including Pro Choice Wyoming, the ACLU of Wyoming and Wyoming United for Freedom opposed the bill, calling it government overreach and warning of litigation under the Wyoming Constitution's health‑care decision protections. Supporters appearing in public comment — including state senators, right‑to‑life organizations and private citizens — argued the proposal protects women and unborn children and cited reported adverse events tied to the abortion pill in national reporting.

Representative Guggenmoss moved the bill; Representative McCann seconded. The committee clerk recorded the vote as 7 in favor, 1 opposed and 1 excused. Representative Yen was recorded as the lone \"no.\" The chair announced that Speaker Nyman would present the bill on the floor.

Members raised a range of questions: whether the requirement should be limited to medication abortions only, whether resource centers would provide ultrasounds for patients in practice, and whether the provision should include a sunset or a repeal mechanism if court rulings make it unnecessary. The sponsor said the bill is written to operate during the current interim while court litigation continues and that its provisions are subject to any controlling legislation.

Public testimony in the hearing included roughly a dozen in‑room speakers and additional online witnesses; testimony represented medical professionals, advocacy organizations, clergy, former and current elected officials and private citizens. The committee's action advances the measure to the House floor where additional debate may occur.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 64 — Motion to advance moved by Representative Guggenmoss, seconded by Representative McCann; clerk recorded committee vote as 7 yes, 1 no, 1 excused.","After hours of testimony from medical providers, advocacy groups and members of the public, the House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted to advance House Bill 64, requiring an ultrasound at least 48 hours before dispensing medication for a chemical abortion; the vote was recorded 7‑1 with one member excused.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6672013,"Committee advances bill to codify autologous and directed blood donations after mixed testimony",1000,149000,1149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2138631-2de3f49e1ed4da5540fcca2925cdee4d&start=149&end=1149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2138631-2de3f49e1ed4da5540fcca2925cdee4d/thumbnail_149000.jpg","/articles/6672013/Wyoming/Committee-advances-bill-to-codify-autologous-and-directed-blood-donations-after-mixed-testimony","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6672013-adb9abf6e34acb647eb2f539cb9f6ef1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775615587&Signature=UynlnmkPvn8xdtDYT2WzqU86ZVyJ4o75wuy0Cq-ojT4R1JuZ4Bv7KbCb2XfuPtFaWySXXXfJExRAH8DQyGEuHVhdWSJgAUMqIZncDwFhKoJosrknqMFLiAGTCHddS3wN9BXnDtO-~FD5kaO1qIUvxC~isQVUNXY2V7hs1~vbwwMXPt9IF61grY4vsPa-R1QAmjDXg7B2uPOjYn5gMBK~W9SmE~iO71n2PTFpub0Xsja6M57K~tbel7O7jNb5J0kHjenKgK-6Tg-GTwzCHEchYE1dFZ0BomH-7prnGQNkxouEuIMPKNkQMND4bHP5XOLLCi2Dgba3xAvK~0ffVmuseg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee voted to advance House Bill 135, a measure to codify autologous (self-donated) and directed blood donations, after hearing testimony from hospital representatives and blood‑supply professionals.

Supporters and opponents agreed the practice already occurs in Wyoming but differed over whether a statute is necessary. Representative Heft moved the bill; Representative Guggenmoss seconded. The committee clerk recorded the committee result as \"6 I to no and 1 excused,\" and the chair announced the bill passed out of committee.

Proponents, including Eric Boley of the Wyoming Hospital Association, told the committee hospitals generally permit directed donations but said the practice is uncommon and logistically difficult. Boley said smaller hospitals often lack the equipment and cited a hospital estimate that setting up in‑house directed donation capability could run \"at least $60,000.\" He also emphasized that most hospitals rely on external blood suppliers such as Vitalant for inventory and that units collected for one patient can go unused.

\"We already allow direct blood donation for oneself in our facilities,\" Boley told the committee, adding that the supply chain and equipment are the main constraints.

Representatives of blood‑collection organizations urged caution. Doctor Cole Elliott, medical director for Wyoming for the American Red Cross, told the committee he opposes the bill not because he opposes autologous or directed donations but because the measure is unnecessary and could interfere with existing safeguards. Elliott said directed units are not inherently safer than volunteer donations and that hospital blood banks must independently verify compatibility and safety before transfusion. He also warned that directed donations from close relatives sometimes must be irradiated to prevent graft‑versus‑host disease and that smaller hospitals may not be equipped to receive, process or safely use such units.

\"The bill is not needed to provide these blood products,\" Elliott said, adding that \"directed donations are not safer than those from the volunteer donor community.\"

Committee discussion noted the practice is already occurring under hospital policies and that blood suppliers are central to making directed donations available. No amendments were adopted during the committee consideration. The sponsor was instructed to carry the bill to the floor when the legislature next convenes.

The committee's action leaves the practice available in statute but does not change hospital operational reliance on external suppliers or address the equipment and clinical staffing gaps named by witnesses.

Votes at a glance: House Bill 135 — Committee motion moved by Representative Heft, seconded by Representative Guggenmoss; clerk recorded the committee result as \"6 I to no and 1 excused.\"","The House Labor, Health & Social Services Committee advanced House Bill 135, which would codify autologous and directed blood donations in state law; hospitals and the American Red Cross testified about logistical, safety and supply concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers hear bill to treat surgical abortion facilities as ambulatory surgical centers; hearing to continue Friday

Committee advances 48‑hour ultrasound requirement for medication abortion after hours of testimony

Committee advances bill to codify autologous and directed blood donations after mixed testimony