Alaska Lawmakers Push for Yearly Birth Control Coverage

0:00It's March 27th. This is Anchorage News Today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. Alaska lawmakers are pushing a bill that would force insurance companies to cover a full year supply of birth control at once. Doctors can already prescribe 12 months' worth, but most insurers only pay for monthly or three month refills. This is the second try after Governor Mike Dunlavi vetoed a similar measure last year. The effort has dragged on for a decade, with backers highlighting big perks for rural residents who struggle with pharmacy access or spotty mail, delivery. Studies back them up, showing longer supplies cut down on unplanned pregnancies. Advocates also know it boosts independence for domestic violence survivors. Supporters argue it saves time and cash without hiking insurer costs, and no insurance groups have pushed back yet. Critics like some Republicans worry about piling rules on companies, especially for just one type of drug, when 90-day fills are already standard.

1:01Testimony poured in this week before a key Senate committee, including Nas to workers in fishing in oil, who are often away for months. The bill cleared both chambers in 2024 before the veto, where the governor called contraceptives widely available and the idea, poor, policy. It now moves to the Labor and Commerce Committee for its first hearing. Most Democrats stay optimistic, despite doubts about another governor's showdown.