Alaska 33rd Legislature (2023-2024) Status: To Executive Bipartisan · 16 D · 3 I cosponsors

HB 17 — An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and related services; relating to medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and related services; and providing for an effective date.

Last action — (H) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 9/3/24

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. ✓
    Passed House
  4. ✓
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 33rd Legislature (2023-2024). It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

Vetoed by Governor Mike Dunleavy (Republican) on October 09, 2024.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

205 added · 235 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of HB 17 now emphasizes insurance coverage for both prescription and emergency contraceptives, ensuring that individuals can access over-the-counter emergency contraception without needing a prescription. This change aims to improve access to contraceptive options for everyone, making it easier to prevent unintended pregnancies and enhance reproductive health. Overall, these amendments highlight a commitment to providing comprehensive support for contraceptive services under medical assistance and insurance policies, which could have a significant positive impact on public health in Alaska.

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33-LS0222\A HOUSE BILL NO.
LAWS OF ALASKA Source Chapter No.
17 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY REPRESENTATIVES CARRICK, Armstrong, Groh, Fields, Hannan, Schrage, Mina, McCormick, Foster, Himschoot, Mears, Galvin, Dibert, Gray, Josephson, Story Introduced:
SCS CSHB 17(L&C) _______ AN ACT Relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and related services;
1/19/23 Referred:
Health and Social Services, Community and Regional Affairs, Labor and Commerce A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and related services;
and providing for an effective date." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
and providing for an effective date.
* Section 1.
_______________ BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
THE ACT FOLLOWS ON PAGE 1 Enrolled HB 17 AN ACT Relating to insurance coverage for contraceptives and related services;
relating to medical assistance coverage for contraceptives and related services;
and providing for an effective date.
_______________ * Section 1.
(B) emergency contraception, including over-the-counter emergency contraception, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration;
and (B) consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services that are necessary to prescribe, dispense, insert, deliver, distribute, administer, or remove the drugs, devices, and other products or services provided under this paragraph;
the insurer may not require a prescription for coverage of over-the-counter emergency contraception under this subparagraph;
(2) reimburse a health care provider or dispensing entity for dispensing -1- Enrolled HB 17 prescription contraceptives intended to last for a 12-month period for subsequent dispensings of the same prescription contraceptive to the insured regardless of whether the insured was enrolled in the health care insurance plan at the time of the first dispensing.
and HB0017a -1- HB 17 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0222\A (C) consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services that are necessary to prescribe, dispense, insert, deliver, distribute, administer, or remove the drugs, devices, and other products or services provided under this paragraph;
(2) reimburse a health care provider or dispensing entity for dispensing prescription contraceptives intended to last for a 12-month period for subsequent dispensings of the same prescription contraceptive to the insured regardless of whether the insured was enrolled in the health care insurance plan at the time of the first dispensing.
(c) Except as provided in (d) of this section, a health care insurer may not offset the costs of compliance with (a) of this section and may not require copayments or deductibles for contraceptives or services covered under (a) of this section.
(c) Except as provided in (d) of this section, a health care insurer may not require cost sharing for contraceptives or services covered under (a) of this section when provided by a participating health care provider or dispensing entity.
(e) A health care insurer may not restrict or delay the covgeraor reimbursement required under (a) of this section, including use of medical management techniques, such as denials, step therapy, or prior authorization, that limit an insured's choice in accessing a full range of prescription contraceptives.
(e) A health care insurer that applies medical management techniques, including step therapy or prior authorization, must provide without delay a simple and easy-to-understand exception procedure for a covered person to access contraceptives covered under (a) of this section.
Nothing in this subsection prevents a health care insurer from enacting reasonable cost containment measures in relation to the coverage required under (a) of this section if the cost containment measure does not unreasonably limit choice in access to coverage.
(f) If the covered therapeutically equivalent version of a prescription contraceptive is not available or is considered medically inadvisable by the health care provider of the insured, a health care insurer shall provide coverage without cost sharing for an alternative therapeutically equivalent version of the prescription contraceptive that is prescribed by a participating health care provider for the insured.
In this subsection, "cost containment" means incentivizing the use of generic or lower cost medications or the use of health care providers or pharmacies that offer services or prescriptions at a lower negotiated rate.
(f) If the covered therapeutically equivalent version of a prescription contraceptive is not available or is considered medically inadvisable by the health care HB 17 -2- HB0017a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0222\A provider of the insured, a health care insurer shall provide coverage without cost sharing for an alternative therapeutically equivalent version of the prescription contraceptive that is prescribed for the insured.
6033(a)(3)(A)(i) or (iii) (Internal Revenue Code of 1986), as amended.
Enrolled HB 17 -2- 6033(a)(3)(A)(i) or (iii) (Internal Revenue Code of 1986), as amended.
A religious employer that opposes coverage under this subsection shall provide a list of the contraceptives or services described in (a) of this section for which the religious employer opposes coverage (1) to each prospective enrollee in the religious employer's health care insurance plan before the enrollee's enrollment in the plan;
(i) When enforcing health care insurance coverage regarding contraceptive methods as provided in this section in a manner that burdens a person's religious practices, the state must demonstrate that enforcement is (1) in furtherance of a compelling government interest;
and (2) annually to all insureds enrolled in the religious employer's health care insurance plan.
and (2) the least restrictive means of furthering that interest.
(i) In this section, "prescription contraceptive" means a drug or device that requires a prescription and is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy.
(j) In this section, "prescription contraceptive" means a drug or device that requires a prescription and is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to prevent pregnancy.
(c) In this section, "health care insurance plan" has the meaning given in HB0017a -3- HB 17 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0222\A AS 21.54.500.
(c) In this section, "health care insurance plan" has the meaning given in AS 21.54.500.
(2) each eligible employee of the state, the spouse and the unmarried children chiefly dependent on the eligible employee for support, and each eligible employee of another participating governmental unit shall be covered by the group policy, unless exempt under regulations adopted by the commissioner of administration;
(2) each eligible employee of the state, the spouse and the unmarried children chiefly dependent on the eligible employee for support, and each eligible -3- Enrolled HB 17 employee of another participating governmental unit shall be covered by the group policy, unless exempt under regulations adopted by the commissioner of administration;
an excess loss insurance policy may be obtained from a life or health insurer authorized to transact HB 17 -4- HB0017a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0222\A business in this state under AS 21.09 or from a hospital or medical service corporation authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.87;
an excess loss insurance policy may be obtained from a life or health insurer authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.09 or from a hospital or medical service corporation authorized to transact business in this state under AS 21.87;
the lowest responsible bid submitted by an insurance carrier, hospital or medical service corporation, or third-party administrator with adequate servicing facilities shall govern selection of a carrier, hospital or medical service corporation, or third-party administrator under this section or the selection of an insurance carrier or a hospital or medical service corporation to provide excess loss insurance as provided in AS 39.30.091;
the lowest responsible bid submitted by an insurance carrier, hospital or medical service corporation, or third-party administrator with adequate servicing Enrolled HB 17 -4- facilities shall govern selection of a carrier, hospital or medical service corporation, or third-party administrator under this section or the selection of an insurance carrier or a hospital or medical service corporation to provide excess loss insurance as provided in AS 39.30.091;
(10) a person receiving benefits under AS 14.25, AS 22.25, AS 39.35, HB0017a -5- HB 17 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0222\A or former AS 39.37 may obtain auditory, visual, and dental insurance for that person and eligible dependents under this section;
(10) a person receiving benefits under AS 14.25, AS 22.25, AS 39.35, or former AS 39.37 may obtain auditory, visual, and dental insurance for that person and eligible dependents under this section;
(12) each licensee holding a current operating agreement for a vending facility under AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210 shall be covered by the group policy that applies to governmental units other than the state;
(12) each licensee holding a current operating agreement fvending -5- Enrolled HB 17 facility under AS 23.15.010 - 23.15.210 shall be covered by the group policy that applies to governmental units other than the state;
(c) The department shall pay for (1) prescription contraceptives intended to last for a 12-month period for subsequent dispensings of the same prescription contraceptive if prescribed to and HB 17 -6- HB0017a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0222\A requested by the recipient, regardless of whether the recipient was receiving medical assistance at the time of the first dispensing;
(c) The department shall pay for (1) prescription contraceptives intended to last for a 12-month period for subsequent dispensings of the same prescription contraceptive if prescribed to and requested by the recipient, regardless of whether the recipient was receiving medical assistance at the time of the first dispensing;
(2) emergency contraception, including over-the-counter emergency contraception, approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration;
and (2) consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services that are necessary to (A) prescribe, dispense, insert, distribute, or administer prescription contraceptives;
the department may not require a prescription for coverage of over-the-counter emergency contraception under this paragraph;
and (3) consultations, examinations, procedures, and medical services that are necessary to (A) prescribe, dispense, insert, distribute, or administer prescription contraceptives;
The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read:
The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to Enrolled HB 17 -6- read:
(a) Section 6 of this Act takes effect only if, on or before January 1, 2025, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (1) approves the amendments to the state plan for medical assistance coverage under AS 47.07.065(c) - (e), enacted by sec.
(a) Section 6 of this Act takes effect only if, on or before January 1, 2026, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (1) approves the amendments to the state plan for medical assistance coverage under AS 47.07.065(c) - (e), enacted by sec.
6 of this Act, is not HB0017a -7- HB 17 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 33-LS0222\A necessary.
6 of this Act, is not necessary.
If sec.
Section 1 of this Act takes effect January 1, 2025.
6 of this Act takes effect, it takes effect on the day after the date the revisor of statutes receives notice from the commissioner of health under sec.
-7- Enrolled HB 17
8(b) of this Act.
HB 17 -8- HB0017a New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
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Action History

  1. (H) VETOED BY GOVERNOR 9/3/24

  2. (H) 3:00 P.M. 8/29/24 Transmitted to Governor

  3. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) ADOPTED Y29 N10 A1

  4. (H) CONCURRED AM OF (S) Y26 N13 A1

  5. (H) TECHNICAL TITLE CHANGE

  6. (H) CONCUR TAKEN UP Y28 N11 A1

  7. (H) CONCUR READ AND HELD

  8. (S) VERSION: SCS CSHB 17(L&C)

  9. (S) TRANSMITTED TO (H) AS AMENDED

  10. (S) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

  11. (S) PASSED Y16 N3 E1

  12. (S) READ THE THIRD TIME SCS CSHB 17(L&C)

  13. (S) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 5/9 CAL

  14. (S) L&C SCS ADOPTED UC

  15. (S) READ THE SECOND TIME

  16. (S) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/8/2024

  17. (S) FN10: ZERO(CED)

  18. (S) FN8: ZERO(DOH)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)

  19. (S) DP: BJORKMAN, DUNBAR, GRAY-JACKSON

  20. (S) L&C RPT SCS 3DP TECHNICAL TITLE CHANGE

  21. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  22. (S) Moved SCS CSHB 17(HSS) Out of Committee

  23. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  24. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  25. (S) Heard & Held

  26. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  27. (S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): GRAY-JACKSON

  28. (S) FN9: INDETERMINATE(CED)

  29. (S) FN8: ZERO(DOH)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)

  30. (S) FN6: ZERO(ADM)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)

  31. (S) DP: TOBIN, KAUFMAN, GIESSEL, DUNBAR

  32. (S) AM: WILSON

  33. (S) HSS RPT SCS 4DP 1AM TECHNICAL TITLE CHANGE

  34. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  35. (S) Moved SCS CSHB 17(HSS) Out of Committee

  36. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  37. (S) Minutes (SHSS)

  38. (S) Heard & Held

  39. (S) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:30 PM BUTROVICH 205

  40. (S) CROSS SPONSOR(S): TOBIN, KAWASAKI, KIEHL, DUNBAR, CLAMAN

  41. (S) HSS, L&C

  42. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  43. (H) VERSION: CSHB 17(HSS) AM(EFD FLD)

  44. (H) TRANSMITTED TO (S)

  45. (H) ...CHANGES TITLE OF LEGISLATION

  46. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) FAILED Y26 N9 E2 A3

  47. (H) PASSED ON RECONSIDERATION Y26 N9 E2 A3

  48. (H) CALL FOR THE QUESTION

  49. (H) RECON TAKEN UP - IN THIRD READING

  50. (H) EASTMAN NOTICE OF RECONSIDERATION

  51. (H) EFFECTIVE DATE(S) SAME AS PASSAGE

  52. (H) PASSED Y29 N11

  53. (H) READ THE THIRD TIME CSHB 17(HSS) AM

  54. (H) COSPONSOR REMOVED: SUMNER

  55. (H) COSPONSOR(S): JOSEPHSON, STORY

  56. (H) ADVANCED TO THIRD READING 3/21 CALENDAR

  57. (H) MOTION TO RESCIND ACTION (FAILING) AM 1 FAILED Y19 N21

  58. (H) AM NO 17 FAILED Y12 N28

  59. (H) AM NO 16 FAILED Y6 N34

  60. (H) AM NO 15 WITHDRAWN

  61. (H) AM NO 15 OFFERED AND PENDING

  62. (H) AM NO 14 FAILED Y6 N34

  63. (H) AM NO 13 FAILED Y5 N35

  64. (H) AM NO 12 ADOPTED Y22 N18

  65. (H) AM NOS 10 AND 11 NOT OFFERED

  66. (H) AM NO 9 FAILED Y5 N35

  67. (H) AM NO 8 FAILED Y3 N37

  68. (H) AM NO 7 FAILED Y18 N22

  69. (H) AM NOS 3, 4, 5, AND 6 NOT OFFERED

  70. (H) AM NO 2 FAILED Y13 N27

  71. (H) AM NO 1 FAILED Y18 N22

  72. (H) HSS CS ADOPTED UC

  73. (H) FN8: ZERO(DOH)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)

  74. (H) FN7: ZERO(CED)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)

  75. (H) FN6: ZERO(ADM)(SUBMITTED BY RULES)

  76. (H) READ THE SECOND TIME

  77. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 3/20/2024

  78. (H) RETURNED TO RLS COMMITTEE

  79. (H) ADJOURNED - ON 1/16/2024 CALENDAR

  80. (H) RULES TO CALENDAR 5/17/2023

  81. (H) COSPONSOR(S): SUMNER

  82. (H) COSPONSOR(S): DIBERT, GRAY

  83. (H) FN5: ZERO(DOH)

  84. (H) FN4: ZERO(ADM)

  85. (H) FN3: ZERO(DOH)

  86. (H) FN2: ZERO(CED)

  87. (H) FN1: ZERO(ADM)

  88. (H) NR: RUFFRIDGE, PRAX, WRIGHT

  89. (H) DP: CARRICK, SUMNER

  90. (H) L&C RPT CS(HSS) 2DP 3NR

  91. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  92. (H) Moved CSHB 17(HSS) Out of Committee

  93. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  94. (H) Minutes (HL&C)

  95. (H) Heard & Held

  96. (H) LABOR & COMMERCE at 03:15 PM BARNES 124

  97. (H) COSPONSOR(S): GALVIN

  98. (H) FN5: ZERO(DOH)

  99. (H) FN4: ZERO(ADM)

  100. (H) FN2: ZERO(CED)

  101. (H) NR: MCCABE

  102. (H) DP: HIMSCHOOT, MEARS, MCKAY, RUFFRIDGE, MCCORMICK

  103. (H) CRA RPT CS(HSS) 5DP 1NR

  104. (H) Minutes (HCRA)

  105. (H) Moved CSHB 17(HSS) Out of Committee

  106. (H) COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS at 08:00 AM BARNES 124

  107. (H) FIN REFERRAL REMOVED

  108. (H) Minutes (HCRA)

  109. (H) Heard & Held

  110. (H) COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS at 08:00 AM BARNES 124

  111. (H) COSPONSOR(S): HIMSCHOOT, MEARS

  112. (H) COSPONSOR(S): FOSTER

  113. (H) FN3: ZERO(DOH)

  114. (H) FN2: ZERO(CED)

  115. (H) FN1: ZERO(ADM)

  116. (H) NR: SADDLER, PRAX

  117. (H) DP: RUFFRIDGE, SUMNER, MINA

  118. (H) HSS RPT CS(HSS) 3DP 2NR

  119. (H) Minutes (HHSS)

  120. (H) Moved CSHB 17(HSS) Out of Committee

  121. (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:00 PM DAVIS 106

  122. (H) Minutes (HHSS)

  123. (H) Moved CSHB 17(HSS) Out of Committee

  124. (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:00 PM DAVIS 106

  125. (H) -- Public Testimony -- -- MEETING CANCELED --

  126. (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:00 PM DAVIS 106

  127. (H) COSPONSOR(S): MINA, MCCORMICK

  128. (H) Minutes (HHSS)

  129. (H) Heard & Held

  130. (H) HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES at 03:00 PM DAVIS 106

  131. (H) COSPONSOR(S): SCHRAGE

  132. (H) COSPONSOR(S): HANNAN

  133. (H) COSPONSOR(S): FIELDS

  134. (H) COSPONSOR(S): ARMSTRONG, GROH

  135. (H) HSS, CRA, L&C, FIN

  136. (H) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

  137. (H) Prefile released 1/9/23

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 21 co-sponsors · 43 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (21)

Not signed on (43)

43 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 43 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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healthcare health-insurance
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 17?
HB 17 is sponsored by Elvi Gray-Jackson (D), Matt Claman (D), Forrest Dunbar (D), Jesse Kiehl (D), Scott Kawasaki (D), Löki Tobin (D), Andi Story (D), Andy Josephson (D), Andrew Gray (D), Maxine Dibert (D), Alyse Galvin (N), Donna Mears (D), Rebecca Himschoot (N), Neal Foster (D), Mccormick, Genevieve Mina (D), Calvin Schrage (N), Sara Hannan (D), Zack Fields (D), Groh, Armstrong, and Ashley Carrick (D).
What is the current status of HB 17?
This bill died with 33rd Legislature (2023-2024). It reached “To Executive” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track HB 17?
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