Tesla pays journey prices for employees seeking abortion providers

Tesla is protecting journey costs for workers looking for out-of-state abortions, joining the ranks of major firms who’ve introduced a similar coverage to benefit employees affected by new restrictions in the past few months.

The corporate stated in its 2021 “ Affect Report ” released Friday that it expanded its Security Net program and medical insurance choices final 12 months to incorporate “travel and lodging support for many who might have to hunt healthcare companies which might be unavailable in their dwelling state.”

The car maker officially moved its company headquarters last 12 months from Silicon Valley to Texas, which passed a law banning abortions at roughly six weeks of being pregnant.

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

In the meantime, Republican lawmakers are taking intention at companies offering to help girls looking for abortions in states with much less restrictive laws.

Texas State Consultant Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has said he would propose legislation barring local governments within the state from doing enterprise with any firm that provides travel benefits for employees looking for abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio introduced a invoice on Wednesday that will prohibit companies from claiming tax deductions for such prices.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk did not instantly respond to a request for comment, however he tweeted in September that he believes “authorities ought to not often impose its will upon the folks, and, when doing so, ought to aspire to maximise their cumulative happiness. That mentioned, I would like to stay out of politics.”