(NEXSTAR) — Monday’s leak of the U.S. Supreme Court draft opinion laying out the courtroom’s intention to overturn Roe v. Wade – the landmark 1973 case legalizing abortion within the U.S. – has left Americans urging companies to denounce the doable choice.
Many big companies haven’t but commented on the difficulty.
Facebook mum or dad firm Meta had not launched an announcement as of publishing time, although CNBC notes Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg did by way of her personal Facebook web page. CNBC studies Disney and Walmart didn’t reply to requests for remark, whereas Microsoft and JP Morgan declined to remark.
Just a few different corporations haven’t solely condemned the SCOTUS opinion however say they’re, or will, assist their employees get entry to abortions, together with covering the price of travel.
Amazon
Retail big Amazon says it’s going to pay employees as much as $4,000 to cowl travel bills associated to non-life-threatening medical remedies – together with abortion, Reuters studies. The firm already presents as much as $10,000 in travel costs for life-threatening medical care.
The profit has already gone into impact and can cowl travel costs if a process isn’t out there inside 100 miles of a U.S. worker’s dwelling. Reimbursements apply to each company and warehouse employees, in keeping with Reuters.
Levi Strauss & Co.
In an announcement Wednesday, the clothes firm defined “access to reproductive health care, including abortion, has been a critical factor to the workplace gains and contributions women have made over the past 50 years.”
Levi’s, most recognized for its denim objects, says an overturn of abortion entry would jeopardize feminine progress – the workforce is 58% feminine. The firm additionally factors to knowledge indicating how Black and Hispanic girls could be disproportionately affected by a dismantling of Roe.
The firm says its place “is aligned with majority public opinion” and that, realistically, permitting states to resolve reproductive legal guidelines would imply corporations would wish totally different well being advantages and insurance policies for totally different employees in several states.
Levi’s says its present advantages plan permits reimbursement for healthcare-related travel bills not out there in an worker’s dwelling state, together with abortion.
In its assertion, Levi’s writes: “Our position on this is in keeping with our efforts to support employees and family members at all stages of their lives… Given what is at stake, business leaders need to make their voices heard and act to protect the health and well-being of our employees. That means protecting reproductive rights.”
Citigroup
The firm behind Citibank filed an annual proxy assertion with the Securities and Exchange Commission in April laying out its 12 months forward, together with its worker improvement. Citigroup writes: “In response to changes in reproductive healthcare laws in certain states in the U.S., beginning in 2022 we provide travel benefits to facilitate access to adequate resources.”
In addition to reproductive care assist, Citigroup says it’s broadening gender affirmation medical protection for employees.
Lyft
The ridesharing firm beforehand shared statements on reproductive rights challenges.
Ahead of the SCOTUS opinion leak, Lyft spoke out April 29 relating to Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 1508, which might, like Texas’ Senate Bill 8, would permit people to sue anybody who helps somebody get abortive care. Lyft wrote: “Women’s rights are under attack again, this time in Oklahoma. We believe transportation should never be a barrier to a woman’s access to healthcare.”
Lyft says U.S. employees in Texas and Oklahoma who’re enrolled in advantages could have travel costs coated for abortion procedures requiring them to exit of state. Additionally, the corporate says its drivers who’re sued underneath the Texas and Oklahoma payments could have 100% of their authorized charges coated.
Beyond worker advantages, Lyft says it’s additionally making a “safe state” program with well being care suppliers to assist cowl out-of-state travel costs for girls in Oklahoma and Texas who’re in search of abortion.
Salesforce
Cloud computing firm Salesforce introduced in September 2021 that it might assist Texas employees who’re in search of abortions in different states, CNN explains. The firm, which owns workplace messenger Slack, has 56,000 employees and 16 areas.
In a Slack message to employees, Salesforce stated: “[We] stand with all of our women at Salesforce and everywhere… if you have concerns about access to reproductive healthcare in your state, Salesforce will help relocate you and members of your immediate family.”
Yelp
In an announcement on Tuesday, on-line enterprise evaluation firm Yelp stated: “Turning back the clock on the progress women have made over the past 50 years will have a seismic impact on our society and economy… This goes against the will of the vast majority of Americans who agree that decisions around reproductive care should be made by women and their doctors.”
A Yelp consultant advised CNN that whereas its medical insurance already covers abortive care, its advantages will embody travel costs for U.S. employees (and their dependents) who should travel for the process.
“It’s a priority for us to offer our employees consistent healthcare coverage, regardless of where they live,” the rep advised CNN.
Yelp demanded that Congress codify Roe instantly.