Alaska Governor Blocks Bill That Could Have Revolutionized Birth Control Access for Women

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Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has vetoed House Bill 17, a bipartisan measure that aimed to ease access to contraceptives by allowing women to receive a 12-month supply of prescription birth control at once. Currently, contraceptives in Alaska are typically provided in one- to three-month increments.

Governor Dunleavy expressed his opposition to the bill in a veto letter addressed to House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, stating, “Contraceptives are widely available, and compelling insurance companies to provide mandatory coverage for a year is bad policy.”

The bill had garnered significant support in the Alaska Legislature, passing the House by a 26-13 margin, with all Democrats, independents, and several Republicans voting in favor. The Senate also passed the bill with a 16-3 vote. All opposition votes came from Republican legislators, including Speaker Tilton.

The veto has sparked criticism from reproductive rights advocates, who argue that it maintains unnecessary barriers to essential healthcare. Rose O’Hara-Jolley, Alaska state director of Planned Parenthood Alliance Advocates, condemned the veto, saying, “Vetoing HB 17 is a blatant failure of leadership and an insult to the public health of people in Alaska. Governor Dunleavy has chosen to keep barriers in place that make it difficult for all folks to access essential medication.”

Rep. Ashley Carrick, D-Fairbanks, the bill’s primary sponsor, expressed frustration with the governor’s decision. “I believe there’s a growing sense of distaste for the administration. They don’t seem to want a collaborative process with the Legislature,” Carrick said. She emphasized that collaboration is essential for the state to move forward on important issues.

House Bill 17 was part of a broader effort seen in nearly half of U.S. states, where laws have been passed requiring insurers to provide a 12-month supply of contraceptives. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, this extended duration is standard in these states.

The veto has reignited debates over reproductive rights and access to healthcare in Alaska, with advocates and lawmakers questioning the administration’s commitment to public health.