Long story short: With Roe v. Wade overturned, what’s next?

June 24, 2022 11:40 AM

The Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on Friday, ending a decades-long constitutional protection to the right to an abortion for millions of people in the United States.

The ruling will end federal protection for abortion, and give states the power to determine the legality of the procedure. Currently, three states — South Dakota, Louisiana and Kentucky — have laws that immediately ban abortion unless necessary to save a pregnant person’s life. Texas has banned abortions after six weeks, but will move to make it illegal in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision. These trigger laws will also take effect in at least eight other states.

Well before this decision, many companies expressed support and planned action for employees working in states that could be affected. Amazon announced it will pay up to $4,000 in travel costs for employees seeking non-life-threatening medical care, which does not specify abortion but will cover the procedure. Dating sites Match and Bumble have also started relief funds for those needing financial support in order to access abortion coverage.

“Looking at abortion care, reproductive rights and healthcare broadly, the government has really fallen short,” EBN was recently told by Laura Spiekerman, co-founder and chief revenue officer for Alloy, which will cover employees’ medical, travel and legal expenses should they or their partner need access to abortion care. “Private companies have to step in to make what little we are given work. For us, that meant filling in these gaps where we've seen the government make some really bad decisions. And if we want to put our people first, we felt like this was a way to do it.”

Read more of our recent coverage on this issue and how you can support all employees with their healthcare needs.

Beyond abortion rights: What’s at stake if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

Six in 10 women who have abortions are already mothers, and half of the women have two or more children, according to the CDC. Notably, Guttmacher Institute found that nearly half of the women who get abortions live below the poverty line. Working-class women and women of color (who disproportionately make up the share of low-wage workers in the U.S.) will suffer the most, since they will not have the means to access care in states with reproductive rights still in place.

“Most women who seek abortions are already mothers,” says Monifa Bandele, chief strategy officer at social welfare organization and advocacy group MomsRising. “When we talk about family planning, it’s important that moms have that right, not just for themselves but for their families.”

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Beyond abortion rights: What’s at stake if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade

8 companies helping employees access abortion care

Employers and employees alike are contemplating the likelihood of a future once deemed unimaginable. The decision comes on the heels of a year of state regulations that have already limited access to abortion services for some, and that have been viewed as a threat to abortion access for all. In September, the Texas Heartbeat Act went into effect, banning abortions after just six weeks of pregnancy and encouraging citizens to sue those in violation of the law. In 2022 alone, legislation that would ban abortion has been introduced in 31 states.

In turn, employers nationwide have been taking measures to extend support to workers and help employees access abortion services, even across state lines, if necessary. Here are eight who’ve already expressed a commitment to employees’ rights.

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8 companies helping employees access abortion care

Abortion care is healthcare: This fintech company offers new benefit to increase access to reproductive services

Easy access to safe abortion services should be a critical component to women’s healthcare, but this basic right has been undermined by legislation that makes it more difficult for women to seek out the care they need.

Alloy, which helps banks and fintech companies automate their decisions for onboarding, transaction monitoring and credit underwriting, will support its 200 employees and their partners in finding and accessing safe, affordable abortion care services with up to $1,500 for out-of-pocket medical costs. Additionally, employees have access to up to $1,500 towards travel expenses if they need to go out of state for abortion care. Employees needing to utilize this benefit can reach out to Alloy’s people team, who will keep their needs confidential.

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Abortion care is healthcare: This fintech company offers new benefit to increase access to reproductive services

Citi’s latest political foray: Abortion-related travel expenses

Citigroup is again taking a stand on a hot-button political issue, this time by offering to reimburse travel costs for employees who leave their home state to get an abortion. Citi is offering “travel benefits to facilitate access to adequate resources” as a result of “changes in reproductive healthcare laws in certain states,” the megabank disclosed in its latest proxy statement to shareholders.

The new benefits took effect on Jan. 1, the Citi spokesperson said. They apply to employees enrolled in the company’s U.S. medical benefits plan, as well as any family members covered under the plan, according to the spokesperson. Outside of the banking sector, some companies have taken steps to provide support to people seeking to end unwanted pregnancies in states where new restrictions are taking effect.

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Citi’s latest political foray: Abortion-related travel expenses