Members of the Alaska House watch for the vote tally on House Bill 17 on March 21. The bill, vetoed by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, would have allowed women to get up to a year’s worth of contraception medicine at a time. Initial passage in the House was by a 29-11 vote, with Democrats, Republicans and independents voting in favor. (Photo by James Brooks/Alaska Beacon)
Gov. Mike Dunleavy has vetoed a bill that would have eased access to contraceptives.
Dunleavy on Wednesday vetoed House Bill 17 , a measure that the Legislature passed with bipartisan support. The bill would have allowed women to receive a 12-month supply of prescription contraceptive medicine all at once. In Alaska, such medicine is typically distributed in increments of one to three months, according to the Alaska Public Health Association .
In a brief veto letter sent to House Speaker Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, Dunleavy said he objected to that idea.
“Contraceptives are widely available, and compelling insurance ‘companies to provide mandatory coverage for a year is bad policy,’” he said in the letter.