Employee Benefits Market Check Survey: Employer Actions Regarding Women’s Health

The Supreme Court ruling on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization on June 24, 2022, has placed a spotlight on abortion specifically and overall women’s health more broadly. Employers are again in the middle of addressing health care coverage and affordability issues while feeling pressure to respond to a highly sensitive issue.

We conducted several polls during a webcast on July 21 to gain insight into whether employers are addressing travel benefits and action on women’s health initiatives. The results are in the charts below.

Key Findings
The subject has sparked a lot of discussions and questions, and several large, brand-name employers have announced plans to offer travel benefits for abortion services in other states. However, our data above supports much of what we have heard from employers anecdotally:they are waiting to take action or cannot take action due to state laws. Many ideas or solutions sound good in theory, but several tax, employment, and benefit regulations can make it challenging for companies to proceed. Of those options noted above, employing a women’s health/family planning vendor would be the least complex. Before implementing any programs, employers should consult with their benefits consultant and employment attorney. The effects of the Supreme Court decision will continue to play out over the upcoming months and years, and employers’ responses will evolve accordingly. Stay in close contact with your benefits consultant as the issue unfolds.

Should you have any questions regarding any of this information, please contact your local Assurex Global adviser.