On May 18, 2022, a person set foot in a target store in Washington, DC.
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According to a company note obtained by CNBC, if you live in a state where abortion is prohibited, the target will cover the employee’s travel.
The new policy will come into effect in July, according to an email sent to employees on Monday by Target’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Melissa Kremer.
“For years, our medical benefits have included financial support for travel when team members need selected medical procedures that are not available where they live. “Kremer said in a memo. “A few months ago, we aimed to understand what would happen if we extended travel refunds to care that was needed and covered, but not available in the team member community. We have begun a reassessment. Given that abortion affects access to health care in some states, it is more appropriate to know about the Supreme Court’s ruling on abortion. “
The reversal of the Roe v. Wade case divided the country into states where abortion is legal and states where abortion is illegal. The court’s ruling led to a wave of announcements by companies that promised to provide travel insurance to their employees as part of their health insurance plan. The list is cross-industry and includes JP Morgan Chase, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Rivian.
Some companies, such as Amazon, have already announced travel insurance for employees who need to seek assisted reproductive technology in other states prior to the Supreme Court’s ruling. The tech giant said he would pay up to $ 4,000 a year for abortion and other life-threatening medical care.
The target did not immediately respond to the request as to whether the travel policy would come with a dollar limit. It does not say how to protect the privacy of employees seeking refunds for travel.
In this memo, retailers say that healthcare travel refund policies include travel for reproductive care, as well as for mental health, heart care, and other services not available near employees’ homes. I said that.
“We will give our team equal access to high-quality, low-cost care through medical benefits,” Kremer said in a policy update by Target.
In the memo, Target did not take a position on the Supreme Court’s decision. Kremer praised Target employees for “recognizing and respecting the broader beliefs and opinions of other team members and guests, even if those beliefs differ from their own.” ..
Other companies have remained silent following the Supreme Court’s ruling. Wal-Mart, the largest private employer in the United States, did not say whether or how to allow employees access to abortion in illegal states. Its headquarters are in Arkansas, which already has a law on books to trigger bans.
However, Walmart will cover some medical travel expenses such as certain heart surgery, cancer treatments, and organ transplants that employees receive in hospitals in other states and cities far from home.
The Supreme Court’s ruling has caused anger from some employees who have urged the company to move further. According to the business, hundreds of Amazon employees have signed internal petitions, condemned the Supreme Court’s decision, suspended operations in states where blame is prohibited, and where procedures are restricted. Insiders are asking the company to allow workers to move to other states if they live.
John Rosevear of CNBC contributed to this article.
This story is developing. Please check for updates.
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