As reaction to the US Supreme Court’s overturning of abortion rights in America sweeps the nation, Hollywood studios are focusing on the protection of their employees’ access to health benefits, including travel, Deadline reported.
A Warner Bros. Discovery spokesperson said the company is “committed to offering our employees across the country access to consistent and comprehensive healthcare services. In light of the Supreme Court’s recent decision, we immediately expanded our healthcare benefits options to cover transportation expenses for employees and their covered family members who need to travel to access abortion and reproductive care.”
“Paramount will support—as we always have—the choices our employees make about their own health care,” CEO Bob Bakish said in a note to employees Friday, running down a list of benefits that include “certain related travel expenses if the covered health service, such as abortion, is prohibited in your area.”
Disney executives also communicated directly with staff not long after the decision was released by the Supreme Court this morning, we hear, recognizing the impact of the ruling and committing to quality and affordable care for all staffers no matter where they live or if they need to travel.
Netflix said it already offers a travel reimbursement coverage for full-time US employees and their dependents who need to travel for cancer treatment, transplants, gender affirming care, or abortion through its US health plans. This is a $10,000 lifetime allowance per employee and their dependents per service.
NBCUniversal parent Comcast declined to comment, but it has a travel benefit for both Comcast and NBCUniversal employees that includes all covered medical services and procedures that aren’t available near an employee’s home.
And Sony shared with all SPE employees in the U.S. that its medical plans through Aetna provide comprehensive care—including reimbursement for travel if it required to access services available. “The Sony group of companies believes employees and dependents should have equal access to health care and medical services, including reproductive healthcare, regardless of their location,” it told staffers.
Management companies and agencies also moved to solidify their polices around the issue.
The aforesaid US Supreme Court ruling will lead to a wave of restrictions across the nation in states with so-called trigger laws or preexisting laws in place that can be easily activated or enforced. The Center for Reproductive Rights had calculated if the Supreme Court overturned Roe, as it has, abortion would remain accessible in 25 states and likely would be prohibited in 25 states and three territories.
Photo by AP
Follow NEWS.am STYLE on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
16:22, April 23
David Lynch presents ‘Room of Reflection’ installation at Salone del Mobile15:13, April 23
New details revealed about Marilyn Monroe's affair with Kennedy brothers, last day of her life14:17, April 23
Microsoft makes Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa rap13:34, April 23
Christie's to auction designer Vivienne Westwood’s personal wardrobe12:30, April 23
Celine Dion opens up about her struggle with SPS11:54, April 23
Kanye West reveals which celebrity he and wife, Bianca Censori, are ready for threesome with11:18, April 23
Catherine Zeta-Jones' daughter celebrates 21st birthday in mom's dress from 25 years ago10:16, April 23
‘Dirty Dancing’ by Britney Spears22:32, April 22
Street style by Rihanna: Leopard print fur coat, leather miniskirt19:56, April 22
The Hamshen band Meluses will give a concert in Yerevan15:58, April 22
What to expect from Ladaniva on Eurovision stage? The band's first press conference in Armenia15:33, April 22
Pagani hypercar drives through flooded Dubai streets