Apple, Disney, and Others Speak Up on Supreme Court’s Destruction of Roe v. Wade

by Barbara R. Abercrombie
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The Supreme Court on Friday abolished the constitutional right to abortion in the US, overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. The court’s decision gives states the power to make their abortion laws, many of which are expected to prohibit or severely restrict access to abortion. As the country grapples with the impact of the ruling, several prominent executives from the technology, entertainment, and other sectors have spoken out. Some companies have also said they will cover travel costs for employees who cannot access abortions where they live. Here’s what companies and their leaders have said so far.

What executives say and companies do

Apple: The iPhone maker said it “supports workers’ right to make their own decisions regarding their reproductive health.”

“For more than a decade, Apple’s comprehensive benefits have enabled our employees to travel abroad for medical care if unavailable in their home country,” said an Apple spokesperson.

Box: CEO Aaron Levie shared a statement from the file-sharing and cloud storage company saying he was disappointed with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.

“In light of the decision, we would like to reaffirm that Box will continue to support paid time off work and also cover employee travel and medical expenses to receive critical reproductive health care,” Levie said, “We remain committed to creating a safe, equitable, and inclusive workplace for all Boxers.”

Bungie: Game studio Bungie said it was “fearless” in its “commitment to stand up for reproductive choice and freedom.”

In a blog post, the company said it would implement a travel reimbursement program that employees can use when they or their family members don’t have access to needed health care where they live.

Disney: Disney told employees Friday that it is “committed to providing comprehensive access to quality and affordable care,” including family planning and termination of pregnancy.

The company offers travel benefits that give employees access to medical treatment that may not be available at their location, a Disney spokesperson said. All U.S. employees who sign up for Disney’s healthcare plan are eligible, including cast members at parks and resorts.

Meta: In a post on the social network, Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg said the ruling “endangers the health and lives of millions of girls and women” in the US.

“I can’t believe I’m going to send my three daughters to college with fewer rights than I had,” Sandberg wrote. This is a huge setback. We must keep fighting for ourselves, our daughters, and the following generation.”

Meta did not immediately respond to a request for additional comment.

Supreme Court

Uber: On Friday, the taxi company reiterated to US employees that it offers “a range of reproductive health benefits, including termination of pregnancy and travel costs to access health care,” a spokesperson said.

“We will also stand behind drivers and reimburse legal fees if a driver is charged under state law for providing transportation on our platform to a clinic,” the Uber spokesperson said.

The company enacted that policy last year after Texas passed Senate Bill 8, a law banning abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. It allows individuals to sue people who assist with an abortion, including doctors and people who drive someone who wants an abortion to a clinic.

Yelp: Jeremy Stoppelman, CEO and co-founder of Yelp, tweeted that the Supreme Court ruling “endangers women’s health, deprives them of their human rights and the progress we’ve made on gender equality in the workplace since Roe.” He called on business leaders to speak out against the “wave of abortion bans” sparked by the decision and called on Congress to codify the right to abortion into law.

In April, the company expanded its health insurance plan, including abortion care, to offer travel benefits to U.S. employees and their family members who may need care outside the state. In 2018, Yelp also tried to reduce misinformation on the review site and ensure that reproductive health care providers, which offer abortion services, and crisis maternity centers, which direct people to other options, are accurately categorized.

More Notable Reactions to Roe v. Wade’s Undo

Bill Gates: In a tweet Friday, the Microsoft co-founder said that toppling Roe v. Wade is an “unjust and unacceptable setback. And it puts the lives of women, especially the most disadvantaged, at risk.”

This is a sad day. Reversing Roe v. Wade is an unjust and unacceptable setback. And it endangers the lives of women, especially the most underprivileged.

— Bill Gates (@BillGates) June 24, 2022

Hillary Clinton: In a tweet on Friday, the former Secretary of State said: “Most Americans believe that the decision to have a child is one of the most sacred decisions there I and that such decisions are between patients and their doctors. have to stay.” Clinton added that the Supreme Court decision “will live in disgrace as a step backwards for women’s and human rights”.

Most Americans believe having a child is one of the most sacred decisions, which should remain between patients and their doctors.

Today’s Supreme Court opinion will live in disgrace as a step backward for women’s and human rights.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 24, 2022

Michelle Obama: Former first lady Michelle Obama said in a social media statement that she was “heartbroken for people in this country who simply lost the fundamental right to make informed decisions about their bodies.” She called the decision “horrifying” and “devastating” but encouraged people to take action by getting involved with organizations such as Planned Parenthood and The United States of Women.

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