Tesla can pay journey costs for workers looking for abortion providers

Tesla is covering travel costs for employees looking for out-of-state abortions, joining the ranks of major companies who’ve launched a similar coverage to profit workers affected by new restrictions prior to now few months.

The corporate said in its 2021 “ Affect Report ” launched Friday that it expanded its Safety Net program and health insurance offerings final year to incorporate “journey and lodging help for those who might have to hunt healthcare companies which might be unavailable of their house state.”

The automotive maker officially moved its company headquarters final yr from Silicon Valley to Texas, which passed a law banning abortions at roughly six weeks of pregnancy.

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 may abolish a nationwide proper to an abortion.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are taking aim at corporations offering to help girls searching for abortions in states with less restrictive laws.

Texas State Representative Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has said he would propose laws barring native governments within the state from doing business with any company that gives travel benefits for workers in search of abortions. Nationally, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio introduced a invoice on Wednesday that may prohibit firms from claiming tax deductions for such costs.

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk didn't immediately reply to a request for comment, but he tweeted in September that he believes “authorities should not often impose its will upon the people, and, when doing so, ought to aspire to maximise their cumulative happiness. That stated, I would prefer to remain out of politics.”