U.S. firms look set to face increasing scrutiny over their stance on abortion rights and whether employee health care plans are in step with social responsibility statements as abortion curbs are challenged in court, researchers and executives say.
A near-total ban on abortion in Texas and new restrictions on the procedure in other Republican-led states have prompted dozens of firms to wade into the highly charged debate — many speaking out publicly for the first time.
As economists warn about the long-term impact of restricting abortion on employees and the bottom line, even more firms are likely to take a stand, said Shelley Alpern, head of corporate engagement at Rhia Ventures, a U.S.-based social enterprise.