Tesla will pay travel costs for employees seeking abortion providers

Tesla is covering travel prices for employees searching for out-of-state abortions, joining the ranks of major firms who’ve introduced a similar coverage to learn employees affected by new restrictions in the past few months.

The company stated in its 2021 “ Influence Report ” launched Friday that it expanded its Safety Net program and medical health insurance offerings final 12 months to incorporate “travel and lodging help for those who may have to hunt healthcare providers which are unavailable of their residence state.”

The automotive maker officially moved its corporate headquarters last yr from Silicon Valley to Texas, which handed a regulation 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 will abolish a nationwide proper to an abortion.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are taking intention at companies providing to assist girls looking for abortions in states with much less restrictive laws.

Texas State Consultant Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has stated he would propose legislation barring local governments in the state from doing business with any company that gives journey advantages for workers searching for abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio introduced a bill on Wednesday that may prohibit firms from claiming tax deductions for such costs.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk did not immediately respond to a request for remark, however he tweeted in September that he believes “authorities ought to not often impose its will upon the folks, and, when doing so, ought to aspire to maximize their cumulative happiness. That stated, I would prefer to stay out of politics.”