Tesla can pay travel costs for staff seeking abortion services

Tesla is covering travel costs for employees in search of out-of-state abortions, joining the ranks of main firms who’ve introduced an identical coverage to learn workers affected by new restrictions up to now few months.

The company stated in its 2021 “ Impression Report ” released Friday that it expanded its Safety Web program and medical health insurance choices final year to incorporate “journey and lodging support for many who might have to seek healthcare providers which might be unavailable in their dwelling state.”

The automotive maker officially moved its corporate headquarters final 12 months from Silicon Valley to Texas, which handed a regulation banning abortions at roughly six weeks of being pregnant.

Other states have since introduced new restrictions, and a political firestorm was set off this week with the leaked draft of a Supreme Court opinion that might abolish a nationwide proper to an abortion.

In the meantime, Republican lawmakers are taking intention at firms providing to help women searching for abortions in states with less restrictive laws.

Texas State Representative Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has said he would suggest legislation barring native governments within the state from doing enterprise with any firm that gives travel advantages for employees looking for abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio launched a bill on Wednesday that might prohibit firms from claiming tax deductions for such costs.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk did not instantly respond to a request for remark, but he tweeted in September that he believes “authorities ought to hardly ever impose its will upon the people, and, when doing so, should aspire to maximize their cumulative happiness. That said, I would favor to stay out of politics.”