Planned Parenthood's Northwest affiliate filed a lawsuit Thursday in Alaska state court challenging the state's ban on telehealth abortion, arguing that the requirement for patients seeking medication abortion to be seen in person violates Alaskans' constitutional right to privacy under the state constitution.

The organization is seeking a preliminary injunction to halt the ban while the lawsuit proceeds. The Alaska Supreme Court has previously interpreted the right to privacy in the state constitution as encompassing the fundamental right to make personal medical decisions, including abortion.

What the Right Is Saying

Alaska's acting Attorney General Cori Mills said the state will defend the law. "We will have to review the complaint and have no comment on the specific allegations," Mills said in a statement. "As a general matter, the department will defend the law, which carries a presumption of constitutionality and represents state policy validly enacted by the legislature and the governor."

State lawmakers who supported the telehealth ban have argued that medication abortion requires appropriate medical oversight and that in-person requirements ensure patient safety. The legislation reflects the state's interest in regulating how abortion services are delivered within its borders.

The state has maintained that it has a legitimate interest in establishing standards for how medication is prescribed and administered, and that requiring in-person visits falls within those regulatory powers.

What the Left Is Saying

Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky operates the only two health centers that publicly provide abortion in Alaska, located in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The organization argues the telehealth ban forces all Alaskans seeking medication abortion to travel to one of those facilities for in-person care, regardless of where they live.

"By forcing Alaskans to travel to a health center in Anchorage or Fairbanks to access care—even though doing so is typically not medically necessary—the Telehealth Ban delays and, for some patients, outright denies Alaskans' access to essential health care," the complaint alleges.

Rebecca Gibron, president and CEO of the Planned Parenthood affiliate, said in a statement that the ban creates unnecessary barriers. "Simply put, this telehealth ban is yet another unnecessary barrier to abortion access, and Alaskans deserve better. At a time when Alaska faces a critical health care provider shortage, the state should be working to improve access to care by expanding telehealth services, not restrict it."

The organization noted that in some cases patients must travel more than 700 miles round-trip for care. More than 60,000 Alaskans live off the road system and can only reach Anchorage or Fairbanks by plane when weather permits.

What the Numbers Show

Planned Parenthood operates just two health centers that publicly provide abortion in Alaska—in Anchorage and Fairbanks. The organization says some patients travel more than 700 miles round-trip to access care.

More than 60,000 Alaskans live off the road system, meaning they cannot drive to a health center and must rely on air travel when weather permits. Even those living on the road system may face hundreds of miles of driving for a single appointment.

Telehealth has become the most common method for people to access medication abortion nationwide. According to data from the end of 2025 compiled by the Society of Family Planning, more than 1 in 4 people in the U.S. who have an abortion do so using telehealth services.

"It is well documented that such travel distances delay many patients' access to abortion and prevent some patients from accessing abortion altogether," the complaint stated.

The Bottom Line

The lawsuit could test the boundaries of the Alaska Supreme Court's longstanding interpretation that the state constitution protects a fundamental right to privacy encompassing personal medical decisions, including abortion. A court ruling in Planned Parenthood's favor would likely expand telehealth abortion access throughout Alaska.

Conversely, if the state's defense prevails, it would reinforce the current requirements requiring patients to travel to one of two facilities for medication abortion, even from remote communities hundreds of miles away. The case is expected to move through Alaska state courts with potential appeals reaching the Alaska Supreme Court.