Major Indiana Employers Criticize State’s New Abortion Law

The governor of Indiana signed into law a near-total abortion ban, making the state the first to approve sweeping new restrictions since the Supreme Court overturned Wade.

Eli Lilly, one of Indiana's largest employers, objected to the new restrictions on Saturday. It said in a statement that it would have to plan for more employment growth outside of its home state.

The company said that abortion is a divisive and personal issue with no clear consensus among the citizens of Indiana. Travel for reproductive services has been included in Eli Lilly's employee health plan. It said that it may not be enough for some employees.

It was one of the first employers to speak out against the law.

Jon Mills, a spokesman for Cummins, an engine company that employs about 10,000 people in the state, said that the right to make decisions regarding reproductive health ensures that women have the same opportunity as others to participate in our work force. Our ability to attract and retain top talent is hampered by provisions in the bill. Cummins has health care benefits that include reproductive health procedures.

Mr. Mills said that they shared their concerns about the legislation with the leadership.

The company with its North American headquarters in Indianapolis did not have a comment. Companies with headquarters in Indiana did not respond to requests for comment.

The association is based in Indianapolis.

Few companies weighed in on the ruling after it was made. They said they would expand their employer health care coverage to cover travel and other expenses for employees who may need to go somewhere else for reproductive health care.

Some companies in Indiana cover travel for their employees. Kroger said in June that it would cover up to $4,000 in travel expenses for employees. The company that has 2,300 employees in Indianapolis said that it would move employees who want to leave states where abortion is not allowed. Kroger wouldn't say anything. A request for comment was not responded to by the company.

Eli Lilly said that the Indiana law was one of the most restrictive anti- abortion laws in the US. As a global company based in Indianapolis for more than 140 years, we work hard to retain and attract important drivers of our state's economy. We will have to plan for more employment growth outside of our home state.