Tesla will pay travel costs for employees seeking abortion providers

Tesla is overlaying journey prices for employees seeking out-of-state abortions, joining the ranks of major companies who’ve launched the same policy to profit employees affected by new restrictions previously few months.

The company said in its 2021 “ Impact Report ” released Friday that it expanded its Safety Net program and medical insurance choices final year to incorporate “travel and lodging assist for individuals who may need to hunt healthcare services which can be unavailable in their dwelling state.”

The automotive maker officially moved its company headquarters last 12 months from Silicon Valley to Texas, which handed a law banning abortions at roughly six weeks of pregnancy.

Different states have since introduced new restrictions, and a political firestorm was set off this week with the leaked draft of a Supreme Court docket opinion that will abolish a nationwide right to an abortion.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are taking purpose at companies providing to assist girls seeking abortions in states with much less restrictive legal guidelines.

Texas State Consultant Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has stated he would propose laws barring local governments within the state from doing enterprise with any firm that gives journey benefits for employees seeking abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio launched a invoice on Wednesday that will prohibit firms from claiming tax deductions for such costs.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk didn't instantly reply to a request for remark, but he tweeted in September that he believes “authorities should hardly ever impose its will upon the individuals, and, when doing so, ought to aspire to maximise their cumulative happiness. That said, I would like to remain out of politics.”