How Starbucks, Lyft, And Other Companies Are Helping Employees With Abortion Access

Before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, a draft ruling of their decision leaked — and sparked a wave of action to protect abortion rights. As some states move toward banning or restricting abortion, others are taking steps to protect it. And companies are stepping up their efforts to help employees get the care they need — pledging to cover employees’ abortion-related travel expenses. Think: Lodging, airfare, and/or gas. If you’re wondering who offers this benefit, here’s… 

The growing list of companies covering abortion travel costs 

As the clock ticked and tocked on reproductive rights in the US, a number of companies rolled out new benefits to reimburse abortion travel fees. It’s all in an attempt to reduce a financial barrier to health care services. Here are some of them:

• Amazon: The online retailer will reimburse employees up to $4,000 a year for medical treatments like abortions. But only if care isn’t accessible within 100 miles of an employee's home. Corporate, warehouse, and dependents enrolled in the company’s health care plans are eligible.

• Apple: The company’s benefits cover “travel out-of-state for medical care if it is unavailable in their home state.” That includes abortions. 

• Citigroup: In March, the US’s fourth-largest bank said it’s covering travel expenses for employees who need to travel to a different state for an abortion. It’ll also cover transportation and lodging.

• Dick’s Sporting Goods: In June, the company said it will reimburse employees who live in states that restrict abortion access and need to travel for the procedure. Allotting up to $4,000 per person. The policy will also apply to dependents. 

• Disney: After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the company said it would cover employee travel expenses for workers who can’t access care where they live. Worth noting that Disney employs about 80,000 people in Florida — where abortion rights could be restricted.

• JPMorgan: In June, the country’s largest bank told workers it’ll expand its health care travel benefit to include abortion access. The change will take effect in July.

• Lyft: Under abortion laws in Oklahoma and Texas, Lyft drivers can be sued for trying to help someone get an abortion (read: driving someone to a clinic). In response, Lyft said it would cover 100% of drivers' legal fees. It also said it’ll pay some employees’ travel costs for abortions they can’t get in certain states. Uber also made a similar pledge.

• Microsoft: The tech giant is helping employees and dependents get the care they need. And will help with travel expense assistance “​​regardless of where they live across the US.”

• Nike: In June, one of the US’s largest retailers said it supports its teammates’ family-planning journeys — from contraception to abortion. And will cover its employees’ travel and lodging expenses in situations where health care services aren’t readily available.

• Netflix: The streaming company offers the benefit to full-time employees in the US and their dependents. The details: they have a $10,000-lifetime allowance to travel for services like abortion.

• Starbucks: In May, the coffee chain said it’ll reimburse eligible travel expenses for employees who have to travel more than 100 miles to get the procedure. And dependents on the company's health insurance are also covered.

• Yelp: The company said its health insurance policy covered abortion before it expanded access to cover travel expenses. And employees can work directly with the health insurance company, to help give them some privacy with their employer.

Psst…Check here for more companies adding abortion benefits to their coverage.

The Kaiser Family Foundation previously noted that some companies have been covering travel-related costs for certain health care treatments — including abortion. And there could be others taking action behind closed doors.

Meanwhile, some companies like Patagonia and Live Nation are adding a different type of benefit — bail money. Both companies will help out employees who are arrested while protesting the Supreme Court’s abortion decision. As more businesses announce abortion-related coverage, it could pressure others to follow suit.

theSkimm

Across the US, people are grappling with the reality that they might not be able to access the health care they need. Now, employers are vowing to help close some of the barriers people may face when making a difficult decision. 

PS: The Walt Disney Company is a minority investor in theSkimm.

Updated on June 27 to add to more companies offering abortion-related benefits.

Updated on June 24 to reflect the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe v. Wade