One of Indiana’s largest employers threatened to “plan for more job growth” outside the state after lawmakers enacted a near-total abortion ban Friday night.
Indiana-based pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company issued the statement after many Indiana businesses and leaders were particularly reluctant to comment on the state’s stance on the issue.
“Lilly recognizes that abortion is a divisive and deeply personal issue without a clear consensus among the citizens of Indiana,” the company said in a statement. statement. “Despite the lack of agreement, Indiana chose to quickly adopt one of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws in the United States.
“We are concerned that this law will hinder Lilly’s – and Indiana’s – ability to attract diverse scientific, engineering and business talent from around the world. Although we have expanded our employee health plan coverage to include travel for reproductive services that are not available locally, this may not be enough for some current and potential employees.
“As a global company headquartered in Indianapolis for more than 145 years, we work hard to retain and attract thousands of people who are important drivers of our state’s economy. Given this new law, we will be forced to plan for more employment growth outside of our state.”
Lilly employs approximately 10,500 people in Indiana among nearly 40,000 employees worldwide in 18 countries. The company did not immediately return a request for comment Saturday from The independent.
Especially, Politicoby Adam Wren added on saturday morning: “Lilly has consistently declined to comment on the legislation until the bill is signed.”
Indiana Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb signed the new restrictive abortion law into law Friday after it passed without a single Democrat voting for it. The law prohibits abortion except in cases of rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities and when the life of the pregnant woman is in danger.
Before Lilly’s statement this weekend, many large Indiana employers were wary of the issue in a state with a Republican supermajority.
“You have to be politically careful not to anger this supermajority. They have to walk a very careful tightrope with that,” said Chad Kinsella, associate professor of political science and director of the Bowen Center at Ball State University. Indianapolis Business Journal last month.
The Supreme Court in June overturned the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision, which had federally preserved abortion rights, leaving the issue to the discretion of the states. Legal wrangling continues in dozens of states, particularly those that sought to enact so-called triggering bans that limit the proceedings soon after the Supreme Court ruling.
Indiana on Friday became the first to enact a near-total abortion ban, though some Republican state lawmakers believe the law did not go far enough and no exceptions should be allowed. The new legislation comes into force on 15 September.
Another large employer in the state, Indiana University Health, also issued a statement Saturday after the Indiana Legislature passed the new regulations.
“At IU Health, we take seriously our responsibility to provide access to compassionate and safe, high-quality health care for anyone who needs it,” the employer said in a statement. “It remains a priority at IU Health to ensure that our physicians and patients have clarity when making decisions about pregnancy within the bounds of the law.
“We will need the next few weeks to fully understand the terms of the new law and how to incorporate the changes into our medical practice to protect our providers and care for people seeking reproductive health care.”
