Tesla can pay travel costs for employees looking for abortion services

Tesla is protecting travel costs for workers seeking out-of-state abortions, joining the ranks of major firms who’ve launched an analogous coverage to learn staff affected by new restrictions in the past few months.

The corporate stated in its 2021 “ Impression Report ” launched Friday that it expanded its Safety Internet program and health insurance choices last 12 months to incorporate “journey and lodging help for many who may have to hunt healthcare services that are unavailable in their dwelling state.”

The car maker formally moved its corporate headquarters final yr from Silicon Valley to Texas, which handed a legislation 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 opinion that might abolish a nationwide proper to an abortion.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are taking intention at companies offering to assist women seeking abortions in states with much less restrictive laws.

Texas State Representative Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has stated he would propose laws barring native governments in the state from doing business with any company that gives travel benefits for workers searching for abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio launched a invoice on Wednesday that would prohibit firms from claiming tax deductions for such costs.

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