Walmart CEO Doug McMillon speaks at the November 19 CNBC Evolve conference in Los Angeles.
Jesse Grant | CNBC
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon told employees on Friday that the company was weighing how to respond to the Supreme Court’s decision that ended federal abortion rights.
“We are working thoughtfully and diligently to find the best path forward, guided by our desire to support our associates, all of our associates,” he said in a statement. memo sent to employees on Friday. “We will share details of our actions as soon as possible, recognizing that time is of the essence.”
He did not say what changes the company was considering, such as whether it would be able to cover travel costs for workers who have to travel to another state that is likely to have an abortion.
The memo was previously reported by Wall Street Journal.
Arkansas, where Walmart’s headquarters are located, is one of several states with severe restrictions or bans on abortion was affected following the high court’s ruling.
Walmart is also the country’s largest private employer. It has about 1.6 million employees around the country, many of whom live and work in states across the Sunbelt that have abortion restrictions like Texas, Oklahoma and Florida.
Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe and Wade, companies across the country have had mixed reactions. Some, including JPMorgan Chase, Dick’s sportswear and Target, announced new plans to cover employee travel to other states for abortions. Others, such as Kroger and Apple, said they had paid for travel for medical treatment and reproductive health care. And the others remained silent.
Amazonsecond largest private company in the country, said in May that it would pay up to $4,000 in travel expenses per year for non-life-threatening medical treatments, including abortion.
Walmart already covers employee travel for certain medical procedures, such as certain heart surgeries, cancer treatments, and organ transplants.
Walmart health benefits only cover certain abortions. According to the company’s employee handbook, costs for “procedures, services, drugs, and supplies related to abortion or termination of pregnancy are not covered, except where the mother’s health would be dangerous if the fetus is full term, the fetus may not survive the delivery, or death will occur after birth.”
Plan B, an over-the-counter form of birth control, is covered only if the person gets a prescription. The pill, commonly known as the “morning pill,” works by stopping ovulation or preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. It can be taken after unprotected sex or when contraception has failed.
Other forms of contraception are also prescribed, including birth control pills, injections and intrauterine devices, or IUDs. Some anti-abortion activists also oppose IUDs because they can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
In Friday’s memo, McMillon said Walmart solicited input from employees when they decided what to do. He also alluded to the size and diversity of both the company and its customer base.
“We know associates and clients have different views on this, and this is a sensitive topic that many of us feel strongly about,” he said. “We want you to know that we see you, all of you. Regardless of your position on this topic, we want you to feel respected, valued and supported.”
