Tesla will pay travel costs for staff seeking abortion services

Tesla is masking travel costs for employees searching for out-of-state abortions, becoming a member of the ranks of main corporations who’ve introduced the same policy to profit employees affected by new restrictions in the past few months.

The company mentioned in its 2021 “ Impact Report ” launched Friday that it expanded its Safety Net program and medical insurance offerings last yr to incorporate “journey and lodging help for individuals who may need to hunt healthcare providers which can be unavailable of their residence state.”

The automobile maker officially moved its corporate headquarters final year from Silicon Valley to Texas, which handed a legislation banning abortions at roughly six weeks of being pregnant.

Other 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 intention at corporations offering to help women seeking abortions in states with much less restrictive legal guidelines.

Texas State Consultant Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has said he would propose legislation barring native governments within the state from doing enterprise with any company that provides journey benefits for workers looking for abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio launched a invoice on Wednesday that may prohibit companies from claiming tax deductions for such costs.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk didn't instantly respond to a request for remark, but he tweeted in September that he believes “government should not often impose its will upon the people, and, when doing so, ought to aspire to maximize their cumulative happiness. That said, I would like to remain out of politics.”