Amazon is offering a new benefit for employees seeking non-life threatening medical treatments including abortions.
Reuters reported, citing a message, Amazon told its employees it will pay up to $4,000 in travel expenses annually for the treatments.
The outlet noted Amazon is the latest company to respond to Republican-led efforts to limit access to abortion.
The benefit is expected to take effect in January of 2023.
Reuters explained the benefit “applies if an operation is not available within 100 miles (161 km) of an employee’s home and virtual care is not possible.”
Additionally, it is open to employees in the United States or covered dependents enrolled in Premera or Aetna health plans.
The outlet pointed out the benefit is not specific to abortion.
It also provides for other non-life threatening treatments including around cardiology, cellular gene therapies and substance-abuse disorder services, as Reuters reported.
Amazon also offers up to $10,000 in reimbursements for traveling annually for life-threatening issues.
The company made the announcement just hours before Politico published a Supreme Court draft decision showing it has voted to strike down the decision of Roe v. Wade.
Several lawmakers have come out voicing their opposition to the draft ruling.
The court issued a statement Tuesday commenting on the report, as IJR reported.
“Yesterday, a news organization published a copy of a draft opinion in a pending case. Justices circulate draft options internally as a routine and essential part of the Court’s confidential deliberative work,” the court said.
The statement continues, “Although the document described in yesterday’s report is authentic, it does not represent a decision by the Court or the final position of any member on the issues in the case.”
Additionally, Chief Justice John Roberts said, “To the extent this betrayal of the confidences of the Court was intended to undermine the integrity of our operations, it will not succeed. The work of the Court will not be affected in any way.”
