Alaska State Sen.: Public Shouldn't Pay for Recreational Sex

JUNEAU, Alaska — A state senator says he doesn't think access to contraception is a problem in Alaska.

In a floor speech, Republican Sen. Fred Dyson said he researched the issue after a colleague suggested the number of abortions could be reduced by improving access to contraception.

The issue of the state providing expanded family planning services has arisen during discussion on a bill that would further define when the state would pay for abortions under Medicaid.

Dyson says condoms cost a dollar apiece and for the price of four or five lattes, a woman could get birth control pills for a month.

Dyson says sexual activity is largely "recreation" and the public shouldn't be required to finance "other people's recreation."

Democratic Sen. Berta Gardner said access to contraception isn't the same everywhere.