Walmart, the nation’s largest private employer will now include abortion in its already existing healthcare plans for US employees.
One of the largest private employers in the country, Walmart has decided that they will expand abortion coverage in the healthcare plans for US employees. This comes after they largely remained silent after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The corporation announced in a message distributed to staff on Friday that abortion will now be covered under employee health insurance plans “when there is a health risk to the mother, rape or incest, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or lack of fetal viability”.
Earlier, the healthcare plans only covered abortions “when the health of the mother would be in danger if the fetus were carried to term, the fetus could not survive the birthing process, or death would be imminent after birth,” according to the policy that was reviewed by The Associated Press. However, this remains unconfirmed by Walmart.
The policy will also include “travel support”
The retailer’s chief people officer, Donna Morris, stated in a memo to staff that the new policy will also provide “travel support” for employees seeking abortions covered by its health care plans – as well as their dependents. This is so they can access services that are not offered within 100 miles of their locations.
According to the message, Morris stated that the firm agreed to the modifications after “listening to our associates about what’s important to them,” She also said that “we strive to provide quality, competitive, and accessible health coverage that supports you and your families.”
In the wake of the supreme court decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, a number of businesses, including Meta, American Express, and Bank of America, have announced they will pay for the travel expenses of their employees, including elective abortions. However, a request for confirmation regarding whether the company’s amended policy will also cover elective abortions received no immediate response from a Walmart spokesman.
“It’s a step in the right direction”
Bianca Agustin, director of the corporate accountability program for United for Respect, a group that advocates for Walmart workers said, “It’s a step in the right direction, but it’s simply not far enough for a company that employs that many women.”
Walmart’s corporate headquarters are currently located in Arkansas, one of the states where abortion was outright prohibited. Nevertheless, the business has chosen to spend money on a facility that “provides employees fertility services, including in vitro fertilization,” in addition to offering surrogacy support.