Google said Friday it will expand its health coverage to include travel expenses for employees seeking an abortion or gender-affirming care, as well as prescription coverage for contraceptives..
The move comes as the Supreme Court is poised to overturn Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Several states have already passed laws that would outlaw or severely restrict abortion if Roe is overturned, and more are likely to follow..
Google’s expanded coverage will be available to all its employees in the U.S., as well as their dependents. The company said it will cover travel expenses for employees who need to travel more than 100 miles to access abortion care. It will also cover the cost of lodging and meals for employees who need to travel overnight..
Google’s expanded coverage is the latest in a series of moves by companies to support employees’ reproductive rights in the wake of the Supreme Court’s impending decision on Roe. Other companies that have expanded their health coverage to include abortion or contraception coverage include Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, and Starbucks..
The companies’ moves have been met with praise from abortion rights advocates, who say they will help to ensure that all employees have access to the reproductive care they need. However, the moves have also been criticized by anti-abortion groups, who say they amount to corporate overreach..
Google’s decision to expand its health coverage is a significant step forward for reproductive rights in the United States. It sends a clear message that Google believes that all employees deserve access to the reproductive care they need, regardless of where they live or their financial means..
The move is also likely to put pressure on other companies to follow suit. As more and more companies expand their health coverage to include abortion and contraception coverage, it will become increasingly difficult for anti-abortion groups to argue that these services are not essential health care..
Google’s decision is a victory for reproductive rights advocates and a sign that the corporate world is increasingly supportive of employees’ reproductive rights. It is a step in the right direction towards ensuring that all Americans have access to the reproductive care they need..
