Several companies are taking steps to support their employees with abortion care. According to NBC News, Yelp recently announced its plans to cover costs for employees and spouses who must travel out of state to access abortion care. This directly responds to the Texas law that bans the procedure after six weeks of pregnancy.
If you’re unfamiliar with the law, it bans most abortions as soon as any cardiac activity can be detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy or close to two weeks after a missed period. Most women aren’t aware that they’re expecting during that two-week window.
Yelp, Citigroup, & Apple To Cover Travel Cost For Texas Employees Seeking Abortions
Yelp’s policy will allow employees to submit travel receipts directly to their health insurance company for reimbursement. The company’s Chief Diversity Officer, Miriam Warren, said it’s being done “so no one else at Yelp is ever going to know who is accessing this, or how or when.”
While Yelp is looking out for its over 4,000 employees, with 200 in Texas, it doesn’t stop there. Reports also show Citigroup will cover expenses, such as airfare and lodging, for Texas employees who must travel to receive an abortion. The banking company has roughly 65,000 U.S. employees, 8,500 living in Texas. Apple has also followed suit and said its health insurance provider would cover travel and medical costs for employees to obtain an abortion.
The changes couldn’t have come at a better time. Oklahoma’s Governor Kevin Stitt signed a bill into law on Tuesday, making it a felony to perform an abortion. The felony comes with a hefty fine of $100,000 and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Roommates, do you think more companies should support their employees who may need an abortion?