Tesla will pay travel prices for staff looking for abortion services

Tesla is covering journey prices for employees seeking out-of-state abortions, joining the ranks of major firms who’ve launched an identical coverage to profit workers affected by new restrictions prior to now few months.

The company said in its 2021 “ Impression Report ” released Friday that it expanded its Security Web program and medical insurance offerings last 12 months to incorporate “journey and lodging help for many who may need to seek healthcare providers that are unavailable in their residence state.”

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

Different states have since introduced new restrictions, and a political firestorm was set off this week with the leaked draft of a Supreme Courtroom opinion that would abolish a nationwide right to an abortion.

In the meantime, Republican lawmakers are taking purpose at companies offering to help women looking for abortions in states with less restrictive laws.

Texas State Consultant Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has said he would suggest laws barring native governments within the state from doing business with any firm that gives travel advantages for employees in search of abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio launched a bill on Wednesday that would prohibit corporations from claiming tax deductions for such prices.

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