15 Companies Supporting Employee Access to Abortion Care

Abortion Access: How Companies Are Assisting Employees Amidst Stripping Rights

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Disney also reached out to its employees after the Supreme Court’s ruling, promising “comprehensive access” to reproductive healthcare. According to an internal memo obtained by CNBC, the company is dedicated to eliminating barriers and ensuring that all employees, cast members, and their families have access to quality and affordable care. The memo stated, “We have processes in place for employees who may need to access care in different locations, covering medical situations related to family planning and reproductive care.”

Before the Roe v. Wade decision, companies like Lyft, Bumble, and Salesforce had already committed to providing reproductive health services to employees in states with abortion bans. In light of the leaked Supreme Court draft indicating a potential revocation of Roe v. Wade, more companies in states such as Texas and Oklahoma are taking action where public services have fallen short. Below are the companies that have pledged assistance to employees in states facing current or impending abortion restrictions.

Companies Supporting Abortion Care

  • Amazon: The second-largest employer in the U.S. announced it would reimburse up to $4,000 in travel expenses annually for non-life-threatening medical treatments, including abortions, if legal services are unavailable within 100 miles of the employee’s residence. This benefit was retroactively effective from January 1, 2022.
  • Apple: Following the enactment of Texas’ SB-8 law, Apple CEO Tim Cook informed employees that the company’s insurance would cover travel expenses for abortions. In a recorded meeting, Cook mentioned that Apple was also exploring ways to support legal challenges against the law.
  • Bumble: The Austin-based dating app launched a fund to support reproductive rights for individuals seeking abortions in Texas shortly after SB-8 was passed in September 2021. The company emphasized its commitment to fighting against restrictive laws.
  • Citigroup: Citi was among the first public companies to revise its healthcare policies in response to abortion bans, announcing travel benefits to ensure employees could access necessary resources starting in 2022.
  • Disney: In a follow-up to the Supreme Court ruling, Disney reiterated its commitment to providing comprehensive reproductive care access, ensuring that employees can seek care wherever they reside.
  • Levi Strauss: On May 4, 2022, the company announced it would reimburse travel costs for employees needing safe abortion access, even extending this benefit to part-time workers.
  • Lyft & Uber: Both rideshare companies pledged to protect drivers and passengers from legal repercussions under Texas’ SB-8 law, stating that they would cover legal fees for individuals sued under restrictive abortion laws in Texas and Oklahoma.
  • Match Group: CEO Shar Dubey established a fund to assist Texas employees needing to travel for safe abortions, emphasizing her personal commitment to the issue.
  • Meta: The tech giant committed to reimbursing employees for travel costs associated with seeking abortion care outside their home state, navigating the legal complexities involved.
  • Microsoft: Announcing on May 9, the company expanded its support for abortion and gender-affirming procedures to include travel expense assistance.
  • Salesforce: In September 2021, Salesforce offered relocation assistance for employees concerned about access to reproductive healthcare, emphasizing their commitment to employee well-being.
  • Starbucks: The coffee giant confirmed on May 16 that it would reimburse travel expenses for employees unable to access safe abortions within 100 miles of their homes.
  • Tesla: The company noted in its 2021 Impact Report that it expanded its health insurance to include support for travel and lodging for healthcare services unavailable in employees’ home states.
  • Yelp: In April, Yelp announced that its healthcare benefits would cover employees in states facing restrictions on reproductive health care, ensuring privacy in the reimbursement process.

While the private sector’s role in providing what should be publicly accessible healthcare is a larger issue, it’s encouraging to see companies advocating for their employees’ healthcare needs. For more insights on related topics, you can check out this article on home insemination.

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Summary:

In response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, several prominent companies have stepped up to offer support for employees seeking access to abortion care. With benefits ranging from travel reimbursements to legal assistance, firms like Meta, Disney, and Amazon are championing reproductive rights and ensuring their employees can access necessary healthcare services, regardless of their location.