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Disney Offering Medical and Travel Aid To Employees After Overturning of Roe v. Wade

Magic Kingdom
Credit: Disney

On June 24, the Supreme Court of the United States officially overturned the landmark case Roe v. Wade — the statute that granted women autonomy over their bodily decisions. That means that certain reproductive rights — primarily abortion — are no longer protected by the federal government and that each state will determine its own reproductive statutes. That may leave many women wondering what they will do if they are faced with such a difficult decision in a state that does not offer certain pregnancy-related procedures.

Supreme Court

Credit: Wikipedia

In the wake of Roe’s overturning, many companies have come out and said that they will pay all expenses for any employee that needs to travel out of state to have their medical needs met. One of those companies is The Walt Disney Company. Not long after the Roe decision was announced, Matthew Belloni of Puck News shared that Disney released a memo, saying they will cover travel expenses and medical costs for those eligible employees who needed to travel out of state to have their medical needs met.

walt disney company headquarters

Credit: Hollywood Reporter

Belloni also shared a copy of the memo, which reads:

Team, 

We recognize the impact that today’s Supreme Court ruling could have on many Americans and understand that some of you may have concerns about what this might mean for you and your families, as medical and family planning decisions are deeply personal.

Please know that our company remains committed to removing barriers and providing comprehensive access to quality and affordable care for all of our employees, cast members and their families, including family planning and reproductive care, no matter where they live. In fact, we have processes in place so that an employee who may be unable to access care in one location has affordable coverage for receiving similar levels of care in another location. This travel benefit covers medical situations related to cancer treatments, transplants, rare disease treatment, and family planning (including pregnancy-related decisions).

Lastly, we would like to remind you of the range of medical coverage options you have as an eligible employee of The Walt Disney Company, as well as the options for your covered dependents. As medical coverage needs are unique to each of us, we encourage you to contact your medical carrier should you have specific questions about your coverage. 

Disney will continue to prioritize the health, safety and well-being of our team members and their families. 

At this time, Disney employees living in California still have complete control over any medical decision they need to make, and California Governor Gavin Newsom has said that women’s rights will continue to be protected and codified in the state’s constitution. Florida currently allows abortions up to 15 weeks into pregnancy. However, according to The Washington Post, the future of the state’s law is uncertain due to the official overturning of Roe. 

Magic Kingdom and Ferry

Credit: orlandoinformer.com

Disney and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis have been at odds for months over various issues, including the controversial Parental Rights in Education Bill. Things got so bad between the company and the politician that DeSantis and his fellow state Republicans passed a law dissolving Disney’s self-governing status. Disney has been planning to move thousands of employees to Lake Nona, Florida, but those plans have been delayed until 2026 and could extend longer depending on what happens in the state in the coming weeks and months.

 

About Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!