Publicis and IPG will pay for travel for abortions for U.S. employees

Interpublic Group of Cos. and Publicis Groupe will cover the cost of travel related to abortion care for their employees, Ad Age has learned. The moves make them the latest holding companies to update their U.S healthcare benefits after a Supreme Court opinion was leaked that suggested the court will soon strike down the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling, which legalized abortion nationwide. "IPG is updating its U.S. healthcare benefits to provide funding for travel that provides consistent access to healthcare, including abortion care and other critical medical services,” according to a spokesman for the holding company. Publicis reassured its employees of its abortion care benefits during a global meeting last week. “As we shared with our employees in global roundtable sessions last Wednesday, we will continue to support access to reproductive healthcare for all of our people throughout the U.S.—which includes supporting our employees with travel for abortion care, to allow for consistent access to healthcare and resources,” a spokeswoman for the agency said. Zeno Group, a sibling agency of Chicago public relations giant Edelman, recently came under fire after a leaked email reportedly showed one of its executives advising clients to avoid taking a stand on the situation. Last week, WPP sent an internal memo to its U.S employees saying it will also be paying for travel related to abortion care. Following the publication of this article, Stagwell said its U.S. healthcare plan already covers abortions and that it will " institute a travel benefit policy to insure full and fair access" if the Supreme Court strikes down Roe v. Wade. Omnicom also stated in a statement that the holding company updated its healthcare policy in 2006 and has since “provided funding for necessary travel to access healthcare providers, including reproductive services,” and will continue to do so.

Publicis and IPG will pay for travel for abortions for U.S. employees

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