On Friday, the nation’s largest employer Walmart sent an internal memo to employees which stated that the big box retailer would expand abortion as well as travel coverage for its employees. This new benefit has been launched by the company two months after the federal right to access abortion was struck down by the highest court in the U.S.
CNBC reviewed the memo and reported that Walmart’s health care plans for abortion have been expanded effective immediately. The memo stated that the giant retailer would cover the procedure “when there is a health risk to the mother, rape or incest, ectopic pregnancy.”
The email sent by Donna Morris, who is Walmart’s Chief People Officer, also said that employees and their family members who were insured through the company would also be reimbursed for travel costs if they were unable to gain access to a legal abortion that was at a distance beyond 100 miles from their location.
Earlier, Walmart’s employee handbook stated that charges for “procedures, services, drugs and supplies related to abortions or termination of pregnancy are not covered, except 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.”
The company’s Chief People Officer included the updates in a memo that previewed the open enrollment period, which is the time when its employees sign up for benefits. Morris also mentioned that Walmart had prepared for the season and had made changes after “listening” to their associates “about what is important for them.”
The new memo also mentioned that Walmart strived to provide health coverage that was based on quality. was competitive and accessible as well as provided support for its associates and their families. It also noted that a center for fertility services would be launched and financial support for adoptions would be $20,000, a huge leap from the earlier amount of $5,000.
Walmart has its headquarters in Bentonville, Arkansas. The state has already imposed strict abortion limits. It has a law that is referred to as the “trigger law” where the all abortions, except those that are necessary to save the life of a mother, are banned.
When asked for comment on the expansion of coverage, there was no immediate comment from Walmart.
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