Dick’s Sporting Goods joins select other companies in…

Many U.S. retailers have not commented on the U.S. Supreme Court's decision last week to overturn Roe v. Wade — but some high-profile brands have spoken out.

On Friday, in the wake of the Supreme Court ruling, the president and CEO of Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lauren Hobart, said in a memo to employees that the company will provide U.S. employees who need to travel to a different state for abortion access up to $4,000 in travel expense reimbursement. The benefit will be provided to any teammate, spouse or dependent enrolled in our medical plan, along with one support person.  

“We recognize people feel passionately about this topic – and that there are teammates and athletes who will not agree with this decision,” Hobart wrote in the memo, which was on her LinkedIn page. “However, we also recognize that decisions involving health and families are deeply personal and made with thoughtful consideration. We are making this decision so our teammates can access the same health care options, regardless of where they live, and choose what is best for them.”

Other retailers that issued statements after the ruling on Friday are below.

Lululemon
Lululemon posted on its Instagram that “reproductive rights are human rights” and said the decision to overturn Roe v. Wade “does not align” with the brand’s support of well-being and the power of choice.  The retailer said that its U.S. benefits plan “will continue to support our employees should they need to leave the state to access treatment related to their reproductive health and family planning.

“We recognize the impact of this ruling on people for years to come — including our valued employees,” Lululemon wrote.

Levi Strauss & Co.
The denim giant reiterated its previous commitment to support reproductive rights. The company’s benefits plan allows for reimbursement for travel expenses incurred for any covered medical expense not available within 50 miles of where an employee lives.

In addition, Levi said there is also a process in place through which employees not in our benefits plan, including part-time hourly workers, can receive financial assistance if a travel-related expense for any medical care creates an economic hardship.

“We stand strongly against any actions that hinder the health and well-being of our employees, which means opposing any steps to restrict access to the full range of reproductive health care, including abortion,” the company stated. “Protection of reproductive rights is a critical business issue impacting our workforce, our economy, and progress toward gender and racial equity.”

The company also said that the Levi Strauss Foundation is providing grants to the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Patagonia
Patagonia, which covers the cost of medical insurance for part-time and full-time employees, noted that all U.S. employees on its health plans are covered for abortion care. Where restrictions exist, travel, lodging and food are covered.

“Caring for employees extends beyond basic health insurance, so we take a more holistic approach to coverage and support overall wellness to which every human has a right,” the company said on its LinkedIn page. “That means offering employees the dignity of access to reproductive health care. It means supporting employees’ choices around if or when they have a child.”

Patagonia also said it would bail out employees arrested during peaceful protests.

Nike
Nike said it offers “comprehensive family planning benefits.”

“No matter where our teammates are on their family planning journey – from contraception and abortion coverage, to pregnancy and family-building support through fertility, surrogacy and adoption benefits – we are here to support their decisions,” the company stated. “We cover travel and lodging expenses in situations where services are not available close to home and regularly make adjustments to our benefits to ensure employees have access to the quality healthcare they need.”

Adidas
The Germany-based athletic company said that, for U.S. employees enrolled in its medical plan, it will cover up to $10,000 in travel and lodging for employees to access abortion services if they are not available in-state.

 “Adidas stands firm in support of the right to choose appropriate healthcare for yourself,” the company said in the statement. “A crucial part of sport is taking care of mind, body, and physical wellbeing.”

J. Crew
J. Crew said in a statement that it will “use whatever lawful means possible to assist associates who need special travel to access healthcare.”

PacSun
PacSun co-CEOs Alfred Chang and Mike Relich spoke against the Supreme Court decision in a letter to employees posted on LinkedIn. The executives said that in addition to updating company benefits to cover travel costs for benefit holders, PacSun also made an extra donation to GirlUp, to support the nonprofit’s mission to “educate women and girls about their agency and bodily autonomy as part of the full range of rights to which they’re entitled.”

Some companies spoke out in support of a woman’s right to choose and pledged to cover travel costs for abortion procedures back in May, following the leak of the draft ruling. These include Starbucks, Apple, Amazon,  Levi Strauss, Microsoft, Lyft, Tesla and Salesforce.