Tesla will pay travel prices for staff searching for abortion providers

Tesla is masking journey prices for workers seeking out-of-state abortions, becoming a member of the ranks of major companies who’ve introduced an analogous coverage to learn employees affected by new restrictions up to now few months.

The corporate mentioned in its 2021 “ Affect Report ” released Friday that it expanded its Safety Net program and medical insurance offerings final yr to include “journey and lodging support for individuals who may need to hunt healthcare companies which might be unavailable of their house state.”

The automobile maker formally moved its corporate 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 Court docket opinion that might abolish a nationwide proper to an abortion.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are taking intention at companies providing to help girls searching for abortions in states with less restrictive legal guidelines.

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

Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk did not immediately reply to a request for remark, but he tweeted in September that he believes “government ought to hardly ever 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.”