Friday’s signing of a near-total abortion ban by Indiana’s governor was a first since Roe V. Wade was overturned in June by the Supreme Court.
On Saturday morning, one of Indiana’s biggest employers, the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, issued a strong objection to the new restrictions. “Given this new law,” it said in a statement, “we will be forced to plan for more employment growth outside our home state.”
The company, which employs more than 10,000 people in Indiana, began by saying that “abortion is a divisive and deeply personal issue with no clear consensus among the citizens of Indiana.” It noted that Eli Lilly has expanded its employee health plan coverage to include travel for reproductive services. But, it added, “that may not be enough for some current and potential employees.”
It was one the first major employers to participate in the creation of the new law.
Shortly after, Jon Mills, a spokesman for Cummins, an engine company that employs about 10,000 people in the state, said: “The right to make decisions regarding reproductive health ensures that women have the same opportunity as others to participate fully in our work force and that our work force is diverse. There are provisions in the bill that conflict with this, impact our people and impede our ability to attract and retain top talent.” He added that Cummins’s health care benefits cover elective reproductive health procedures, including medical travel benefits.
Mr. Mills also said that, “prior to, and during the legislative process, we shared our concerns about this legislation with legislative leadership.”
Roche, the diagnostics company with its North American headquarters at Indianapolis, didn’t have an immediate comment. Other companies that have large offices or headquarters in Indiana didn’t immediately respond to our requests for comment.
The National Collegiate Athletic Association, which has its headquarters in Indianapolis, declined comment.
After the Supreme Court’s decision, few companies weighed in directly on the ruling. Many more companies said they would expand their employer-sponsored health insurance to cover travel expenses and other expenses for employees who may need it.
Companies with large Indiana presence have previously stated that employees will be covered for travel. Kroger announced in June that it would cover travel expenses up to $4,000 for employees covered by its health insurance plan. Salesforce, a software company that employs around 2,300 people in Indianapolis, has also indicated that it would help employees leave states where abortion is illegal. Kroger declined comment. Salesforce did not immediately respond when we asked for comment.
In its statement, Eli Lilly described the Indiana law as “one of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws in the United States.” It went on: “As a global company headquartered in Indianapolis for more than 145 years, we work hard to retain and attract thousands of people who are important drivers of our state’s economy. Given this new law, we will be forced to plan for more employment growth outside our home state.”
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