Idaho governor signs bill into law to extend contraceptive access

Update: This story has been updated to include a quote from the bill sponsor. 

After years of legislative attempts led by Idaho Democrats, a bill to expand contraception access in Idaho has been signed into law. 

On Monday morning, Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed Senate Bill 1234, a bill that would require insurance companies to provide up to a six-month supply of prescribed contraceptives to enrollees. 

The 2024 legislative session marks the fifth time this type of legislation has made its way through the Capitol. Efforts to extend contraceptives coverage began with former Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb, D-Boise, in 2018, and those efforts continued under her successor, Sen. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise.

This is Wintrow’s third time sponsoring this kind of legislation, an effort that she said has included feedback from insurers, anti-abortion groups and legislators who previously opposed the legislation. 

She introduced the bill last month with the goal to make it easier for women, particularly college students and women living in rural regions, who only have access to a one- or three-month supply of contraceptives under their current insurance plan. 

The bill narrowly made its way through the Legislature. Opponents of the bill argued it isn’t the proper role of government to regulate health insurance policies, while proponents argued the bill would prevent unplanned pregnancies under the state’s near-total abortion ban. The bill passed the Senate in a 19-16 vote, and a 34-35 vote in the House of Representatives. 

In a statement, Wintrow said she was happy and relieved for Idaho women that the bill passed.

“Women in Idaho shouldn’t have to deal with needless inconvenience to get a medication which is incredibly safe and must be taken at the same time everyday,” Wintrow said. “After six years of trying, the bill passed by one vote! That says a lot about the Legislature’s priorities, but it’s also a sign of progress that more of my colleagues across the aisle are seeing the importance of reproductive health care.”

Wintrow said the bill was “absolutely necessary” to mitigate some of the consequences of the state’s near-total abortion ban.

“This was a huge team effort-so many wonderful people invested their time and effort into testifying to the importance of this bill and demonstrating its importance,” she said. “I am relieved that we can finally provide a small, yet meaningful gesture of support to the women of Idaho, and there is so much more to do.”

The bill is set to take effect on July 1.