Tesla can pay journey costs for employees looking for abortion services

Tesla is covering travel costs for employees seeking out-of-state abortions, joining the ranks of major corporations who’ve launched an identical policy to benefit staff affected by new restrictions up to now few months.

The corporate stated in its 2021 “ Impression Report ” released Friday that it expanded its Security Web program and medical health insurance offerings final yr to include “travel and lodging support for individuals who may have to hunt healthcare companies which are unavailable in their home state.”

The automotive maker formally moved its company headquarters final 12 months from Silicon Valley to Texas, which passed a law 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 Court docket opinion that may abolish a nationwide proper to an abortion.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are taking aim at corporations providing to assist ladies in search of abortions in states with less restrictive laws.

Texas State Representative Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has mentioned he would propose legislation barring local governments in the state from doing enterprise with any company that gives travel advantages for workers searching for abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio introduced a invoice on Wednesday that would prohibit firms from claiming tax deductions for such prices.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk did not instantly reply to a request for remark, however he tweeted in September that he believes “government should not often impose its will upon the folks, and, when doing so, should aspire to maximize their cumulative happiness. That said, I would like to stay out of politics.”