Tesla pays journey prices for employees searching for abortion providers

Tesla is covering journey costs for workers seeking out-of-state abortions, becoming a member of the ranks of major firms who’ve introduced an analogous coverage to profit employees affected by new restrictions in the past few months.

The corporate mentioned in its 2021 “ Influence Report ” launched Friday that it expanded its Security Net program and medical insurance choices final yr to incorporate “travel and lodging support for many who may need to seek healthcare companies which can be unavailable in their house state.”

The automobile maker formally moved its corporate headquarters final yr from Silicon Valley to Texas, which handed a regulation banning abortions at roughly six weeks of being pregnant.

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

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are taking goal at corporations offering to assist women seeking abortions in states with less restrictive legal guidelines.

Texas State Consultant Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has said he would propose legislation barring native governments in the state from doing enterprise with any firm that gives travel advantages for employees looking for abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio launched a bill on Wednesday that may prohibit firms from claiming tax deductions for such prices.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk did not immediately reply to a request for comment, but he tweeted in September that he believes “government should rarely impose its will upon the people, and, when doing so, should aspire to maximise their cumulative happiness. That stated, I would prefer to remain out of politics.”