Tesla will pay journey costs for workers looking for abortion providers

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

The company mentioned in its 2021 “ Impact Report ” launched Friday that it expanded its Security Net program and medical health insurance offerings last 12 months to incorporate “travel and lodging support for those who may need to seek healthcare providers which might be unavailable of their home state.”

The automobile maker formally moved its company headquarters final 12 months from Silicon Valley to Texas, which passed a legislation 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 would abolish a nationwide proper to an abortion.

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

Texas State Consultant Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has said he would suggest laws barring local governments within the state from doing enterprise with any company that gives travel benefits for workers seeking abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio launched a invoice on Wednesday that would prohibit companies from claiming tax deductions for such prices.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk didn't immediately respond to a request for comment, but 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 maximise their cumulative happiness. That said, I would favor to stay out of politics.”