The reimbursements would be for travel expenses to obtain medication, procedures or operations that can include the employee's 'right to plan a family, terminate a pregnancy, obtain contraceptives, and gain access to reproductive health services.'
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill in April that bans legally permitted abortions after 15 weeks. The tighter window in Florida will make North Carolina the only state in the South that permits abortions after 15 weeks.
The new Florida law goes into effect July 1. The only exceptions allowed after 15 weeks are if the mother is at risk of death,"irreversible physical impairment" or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality. State Rep. Tracie Davis, D-Jacksonville, who is running against Gaffney in the Democratic primary in August, has been an outspoken backer of abortion rights and joined a May 14 rally in front of the Duval County Courthouse. She said Gaffney is a latecomer to showing support. She said she is"extremely concerned about the recent law that was passed that bans abortion after 15 weeks with no exceptions for rape or incest" and she opposed it on the House floor. "I have been fighting my entire career to protect women's reproductive rights," she said. “I’m glad the councilman has finally realized what’s at stake after years of being silent on the issue and actively helping elect Republicans who support these unconstitutional abortion bans." Gaffney's bill says that starting July 1, each city employee will be able to receive reimbursement for up to $4,000 in travel expenses annually for"any medical treatment related to reproductive rights" if that treatment is not available within 100 miles of the employee's home and virtual care is not possible. Some companies have announced they will cover travel expenses for U.S. employees seeking abortions. Starbucks this week said it will offer that benefit to employees who do not have access within 100 miles of their homes. Other companies telling employees they will cover such travel expenses include Salesforce, Amazon, Microsoft and Tesla. Gaffney's bill says the $4,000 in reimbursements would be for travel expenses to obtain medication, procedures or operations that can include the employee's"right to plan a family, terminate a pregnancy, obtain contraceptives, and gain access to reproductive health services.""I don't think there will be any support for this bill on City Council," he said."I'm voting 'no' because I'm pro-life and will never accept taxpayer funding for anything related to abortion." The first vote on the bill could come Tuesday because Gaffney is seeking emergency one-cycle passage that would bring it up for a final vote on June 14. Moving the bill at a faster rate would require support from two-thirds of the 19-member council.
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