Corporate Giants Rush to Support Employees Seeking Abortions in Post-Roe Era

Strategic Insights -

As the US Supreme Court overturns Roe v Wade, major corporations have moved swiftly to provide support and financial assistance to employees seeking abortions in states where the procedure is outlawed. With millions of women potentially seeking care elsewhere, companies are adding "critical healthcare" packages to employee benefits, reflecting an elevated sense of responsibility to respond to pressure from investors, customers, and employees.

Key Takeaways:

  • Citigroup, Bank of America, and Goldman Sachs have announced they will cover travel expenses for US workers in need of abortions as part of their medical benefits.
  • Tech firms like Microsoft, Apple, and Facebook parent Meta have also extended their support for "critical healthcare" after the Roe v Wade reversal.
  • Entertainment companies, including Disney, Condé Nast, Warner Bros Discovery, and Netflix, have said they will offer travel reimbursements for employees seeking abortions.
  • Companies that have recently relocated to low-tax states with abortion restrictions, such as Texas, may face a clash with their stated values and harm the state's ability to attract new business, employees, and investment.
  • The Business Roundtable, representing the nation's most powerful companies, has avoided taking a stance on the Roe v Wade decision.
  • One business, reportedly, has already backed out of setting up in a city due to abortion restrictions.

Statistics:

  • According to the Guttmacher Institute, abortion bans and restrictions do not reduce unintended pregnancy or demand for abortion.
  • The institute reported that such restrictions impose significant hurdles to obtaining care, causing stress for people in need of abortion and leading some to experience forced pregnancy and its consequences.
  • In Illinois, abortion procedures increased by a quarter between 2017 and 2020, while local and national abortion funds increased their capacity to help even more people pay for their abortions.

Sources:

  • Edward Helmore, "Many US Corporate Giants Aprrove Abortion Benefits to Employees as Roe v. Wade Reverses," The Guardian, June 24, 2022.
  • "New Study Finds Abortion Restrictions Harm Marginalized Communities," Guttmacher Institute, June 2022.
  • "Mayors Across the US React to Roe v. Wade Abortion Ruling," NBC News, June 24, 2022.
  • "Arkansas-Based Walmart, McDonald's, PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, General Motors Have Not Announced Support," SNL Financial, June 24, 2022.