OPINION: Planned Parenthood is crucial to protecting Alaska survivors of trafficking and MMIR

How we care for the most vulnerable among us defines who we are as a society. In Alaska, where resources are limited and disparities are deep, continued Medicaid eligibility for Planned Parenthood is not just important — it is essential to the safety, health and survival of our communities, especially for survivors of violence, human trafficking and in addressing the ongoing crisis of our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives (MMIR). Planned Parenthood plays a crucial role in supporting survivors locally and nationally.

Planned Parenthood offers a safe, confidential, and trauma-informed environment — one of the few places where survivors of violence can access essential services without shame or fear. In Alaska’s vast and often isolated regions, this access can be life-saving. Their providers understand the deep connection between reproductive healthcare and abuse: how coercion, control and violence make it difficult for survivors to advocate for their own bodies or get the care they need. Planned Parenthood’s mission-driven prioritization of immediacy is essential to Alaskans in crisis, or those who, due to control and coercion, have little ability to control their own freedoms and schedules. Same-day appointments at Planned Parenthood are often the best choice for survivors, who do not have the luxury of scheduling out their healthcare and waiting weeks for appointment times.

Planned Parenthood provides vital services like STI and HIV testing, emergency contraception and screenings for IPV and trafficking. Equally important, their providers are trained to recognize the signs of abuse and exploitation, including human trafficking, and can serve as a trusted first point of contact. Many survivors take their first steps toward safety because a Planned Parenthood provider helped them access legal support, advocacy, housing, or crisis intervention.

Equally important is the role they play in prevention. Through education about consent, bodily autonomy, and healthy relationships, Planned Parenthood empowers patients to understand and navigate their own lives. For many, Medicaid is the only option for healthcare — especially for those whose abusers or traffickers have restricted access to income, transportation or documentation. In my work with survivors, I’ve seen time and again how Planned Parenthood, through Medicaid eligibility, became their only consistent and accessible source of care.

As a mental health provider, I refer to Planned Parenthood because they embody culturally responsive, compassionate care. They meet people where they are — whether in crisis, recovery, or survival — and provide a bridge to medical, mental health, and community resources.

The connection between human trafficking and MMIR is urgent and undeniable. Indigenous people face some of the highest rates of violence in the U.S., yet legal, jurisdictional and systemic barriers often prevent them from seeking protection. When healthcare becomes financially or geographically inaccessible, the risks of violence, disappearance, and death increase. Planned Parenthood is a trusted provider in Alaska, often offering an increased sense of privacy for those who live in close-knit and small rural communities. Their services offer culturally informed, trauma-sensitive care, creating a safety net for Indigenous people and others navigating dangerous situations.

Without Medicaid eligibility, that safety net collapses. Removing it would not only create dangerous gaps in care — it would actively increase the vulnerability of those already at highest risk. Continued Medicaid eligibility for Planned Parenthood is not just a healthcare issue — it is a public safety necessity. Survivors rely on low-barrier, trauma-informed services to access care without fear, shame, or financial hardship. Removing this access would strip away one of the few consistent lifelines available to those navigating violence and exploitation. If we are truly committed to building a safer, more just Alaska, we must ensure that all people — especially those at highest risk — can access care that honors their dignity, safety, and humanity. Preserving Medicaid eligibility for Planned Parenthood is essential to supporting survivors and safeguarding our communities with the respect they deserve.

I hope Sens. Murkowski and Sullivian vote no on the proposed 2025 Federal budget reconciliation bill, HR 1, and hold the best interests of Alaskans at heart.

Josie Heyano is an Alaska Native woman from Tanana and Ekuk, and a licensed mental health provider. She is the founder and executive director of Signify Consulting, and a nationally recognized subject matter expert on human trafficking.

• • •

The views expressed here are the writer’s and are not necessarily endorsed by the Anchorage Daily News, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, email commentary(at)adn.com. Send submissions shorter than 200 words to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Read our full guidelines for letters and commentaries here.