In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s landmark decision to overturn Roe Vs. Wade on June 24, many large U.S. companies across multiple sectors championed their workplace health plans that would cover out-of-state abortion costs for employees.
The Wall Street bank unveiled that component of its overall employee health benefits earlier this month.
“We will also expand our existing health care travel benefit, which today covers certain services such as organ transplants, to all covered health care services that can only be obtained far from your home,” the bank said in a statement.
“Abortion has long been a covered service, and would now be in scope.”
Travel Expenses
Dick’s Sporting Goods will give employees or their family members up to $4,000 to help cover travel expenses if they need to get an abortion, according to CEO Lauren Hobart.
“We recognize people feel passionately about this topic—and that there are teammates and athletes who will not agree with this decision. However, we also recognize that decisions involving health and families are deeply personal and made with thoughtful consideration.”
Its shares rallied more than 8 percent on the news to close above $84 on June 24.
Denim-maker Levi Strauss shares advanced 3.4 percent after it reaffirmed its policy to cover employees’ out-of-state abortions.
“We have processes in place so that an employee who may be unable to access care in one location has affordable coverage for receiving similar levels of care in another location,” the company said.
“This travel benefit covers medical situations related to cancer treatments, transplants, rare disease treatment, and family planning (including pregnancy-related decisions).”
Netflix is offering as much as $10,000 for not only abortion, but also gender-affirming surgery, cancer treatment, and transplants.
Facebook owner Meta stated that it would offer reimbursements to employees searching for out-of-state abortions. However, the tech giant also noted that the company would be “assessing how best to do so given the legal complexities involved.”
Lyft, the ride-hailing company, confirmed it would legally protect drivers in abortion cases to ensure that “no driver should have to ask a rider where they are going and why.”
“The ruling puts women’s health in jeopardy, denies them their human rights, and threatens to dismantle the progress we’ve made toward gender equality in the workplace since Roe,” he said.
“Business leaders must step up to support the health and safety of their employees by speaking out against the wave of abortion bans that will be triggered as a result of this decision, and call on Congress to codify Roe into law.”
Uber has installed a comparable measure that will reimburse drivers who are sued under state law for giving transportation to an abortion clinic.
States Market Abortion Laws to Corporate America
Several state governors have been marketing their abortion laws as selling points for companies considering relocating operations to different jurisdictions.“Some companies located in states that limit access are offering transportation for employees to get an abortion out of state,” she wrote.
“But there’s a better way for those CEOs to protect their employees’ essential rights. Don’t keep your operations in a state imposing these barbaric restrictions. Move to New York.”
California’s Financial Incentives
California Gov. Gavin Newsom in May proposed more than $2 billion in financial incentives, including grants and tax credits, to appeal to companies that may want to leave anti-abortion states.“California will not stand idly by as extremists roll back our basic constitutional rights; we’re going to fight like hell, making sure that all women—not just those in California—know that this state continues to recognize and protect their fundamental rights,” Newsom said.
“We’re expanding access to these critical services, welcoming businesses and their employees fleeing anti-abortion states, and reaffirming our commitment to continuing to work closely with the Legislature and reproductive rights stakeholders to further solidify California’s leadership on abortion rights.”
But experts say companies are more likely to focus on tax rates, the cost of living, affordable housing, state and local regulations, and logistics than social issues when choosing where to establish operations or relocate their facilities.
Over the past year, Texas has attracted major companies, including Tesla and Hewlett Packard. The Lone Star State possesses some of the nation’s strictest abortion restrictions. Plus, following the Supreme Court’s ruling, the state has a trigger law that will outlaw all abortions.
