Tesla pays travel costs for employees seeking abortion services

Tesla is protecting travel prices for workers in search of out-of-state abortions, joining the ranks of main companies who’ve introduced an analogous policy to profit employees affected by new restrictions in the past few months.

The company said in its 2021 “ Influence Report ” released Friday that it expanded its Security Net program and medical insurance choices final yr to incorporate “journey and lodging assist for those who may have to seek healthcare companies that are unavailable in their residence state.”

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

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

In the meantime, Republican lawmakers are taking intention at corporations offering to help ladies searching for abortions in states with less restrictive legal guidelines.

Texas State Consultant Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has stated he would propose laws barring local governments within the state from doing enterprise with any firm that provides travel benefits for employees searching for abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio introduced a bill on Wednesday that may prohibit corporations from claiming tax deductions for such prices.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk didn't immediately reply to a request for remark, but he tweeted in September that he believes “authorities 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 remain out of politics.”