Walgreens to cover travel for workers seeking abortions

Walgreens will reimburse lots of of its personnel for journey fees if they have to undertaking much more than 50 miles for an abortion, the organization claimed Wednesday — a move that follows a U.S. Supreme Court selection last 7 days ending federal defense for abortion.

Deerfield-based mostly Walgreens is “broadening our existing vacation reimbursement benefits” for any employee who is protected by the company’s self-funded well being insurance to enable travel reimbursement for protected professional medical, surgical, psychological or compound abuse products and services not available in 50 miles of the worker’s home, spokesman Jim Cohn explained in a statement.

The corporation previously reimbursed workers for journey costs similar to some out-of-point out health and fitness care providers, and abortion will now be amongst those.

“Ensuring complete obtain to both physical and psychological health and fitness care, listening to our workforce to comprehend their demands, and prioritizing the overall health and very well-staying of our crew members are main concepts that drive how we function and make conclusions as an corporation,” Cohn stated.

Walgreens has almost 9,000 retailers in the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and employs a lot more than 225,000 people today.

The retail pharmacy large joins a rising listing of firms that are now promising to shell out for abortion-similar travel expenses for workers. Corporations have been announcing the new policies about the past week, because the U.S. Supreme Court docket reversed Roe v. Wade, which means states may possibly now outlaw abortion. Illinois leaders have pledged that the condition will remain a protected haven for those in search of the method.

Executives at Bolingbrook-based mostly Ulta Splendor explained the firm would give journey cost aid for “eligible reproductive wellbeing services exactly where access to care is restricted,” which include authorized abortions. The protection took result Friday, the similar day as the Supreme Court docket ruling, in accordance to a organization statement.

JPMorgan Chase will also deal with travel to obtain legal abortions, according to a business positive aspects memo sent June 1.

The Walt Disney Co., Facebook parent Meta, American Specific, Lender of The usa and Goldman Sachs have also said they will protect vacation expenses for employees. Apple, Starbucks, Lyft and Yelp reiterated right after Friday’s ruling former statements getting comparable motion. Out of doors garments maker Patagonia posted on LinkedIn Friday that it would give “training and bail for people who peacefully protest for reproductive justice” and time off to vote.