Tesla will pay journey costs for workers seeking abortion services

Tesla is covering journey prices for workers looking for out-of-state abortions, becoming a member of the ranks of major corporations who’ve launched an analogous coverage to benefit staff affected by new restrictions previously few months.

The company stated in its 2021 “ Affect Report ” launched Friday that it expanded its Security Web program and health insurance offerings last 12 months to include “journey and lodging assist for many who may have to hunt healthcare providers which might be unavailable in their dwelling state.”

The automotive maker officially moved its corporate headquarters last yr 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 goal at companies offering to help girls seeking abortions in states with less restrictive laws.

Texas State Consultant Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has said he would suggest laws barring local governments in the state from doing business with any company that gives journey benefits for workers seeking 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 “authorities should rarely impose its will upon the folks, and, when doing so, ought to aspire to maximise their cumulative happiness. That said, I would like to stay out of politics.”