Indiana-based pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly said in a statement obtained by The Hill on Saturday that it would seek to boost out-of-state job growth after the passage of a near-total ban on drug use. ‘abortion.
The legislation, signed into law by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb (R), would ban the procedure after 10 weeks after fertilization, except in cases of rape or incest, if the pregnancy endangers the safety of the mother or if the fetus has a fatal abnormality, according to the Associated Press.
The legislation also prohibits establishments other than hospitals, such as abortion clinics, from performing the procedure.
In the statement, Eli Lilly said the issue of abortion is sensitive and that there is “no clear consensus among citizens on Indiana.”
“Despite this lack of agreement, Indiana chose to quickly pass one of the most restrictive anti-abortion laws in the United States. We are concerned that this law will impede the ability of Lilly – and the Indiana – to attract diverse scientific, technical and business talent from around the world,” the company added.
Eli Lilly previously extended health care coverage for its employees to pay for travel to access out-of-state abortion care. But the company said that might not be enough “for some current and potential employees.”
“As a global company based 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 greater job growth outside of our home country,” the company concluded.
Indiana was the first state to enact new legislation restricting abortions following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade, in which the High Court held that abortion was a constitutional right.
Kansas voters on Tuesday rejected a ballot provision that would have given the state legislature the power to ban abortion, a move that was seen as a possible indicator of the national mood after the Court Supreme overruled Roe.
