Tesla can pay journey costs for workers searching for abortion providers

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

The company said in its 2021 “ Impact Report ” launched Friday that it expanded its Security Internet program and health insurance offerings final 12 months to incorporate “travel and lodging assist for many who may have to seek healthcare providers which are unavailable in their residence state.”

The car maker officially moved its company headquarters last 12 months from Silicon Valley to Texas, which handed a legislation banning abortions at roughly six weeks of pregnancy.

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 would abolish a nationwide right to an abortion.

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

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

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