Wyoming lawmakers would define health care if voters approved amendment

Only Wyoming lawmakers would decide what counts as health care under the constitutional right to make health care decisions. The definition would apply to Wyoming’s constitutional right to make health care decisions, which the proposed ballot explanation describes as covering competent adults. Approval would require two-thirds of each legislative chamber and a majority of voters at the election. The proposed ballot explanation says courts could not define health care for this right, regardless of other constitutional provisions. The proposal called for a vote at the next general election and would become part of the Constitution only if a majority of voters approved it.

Courts would use a rational basis test: they would assess whether health care laws have a reasonable connection to an allowed purpose. Allowed purposes would include protecting people’s health and general welfare or carrying out other purposes in the Wyoming Constitution. Approval would require two-thirds of each legislative chamber and a majority of voters at the election. The court review rule would apply only once voters approved the amendment.