People who assist with the procedure, such as doctors, people who pay for the procedure, and clinic employees, are at risk of infection. That includes rideshare drivers who are subject to punishment if they transport women to abortion clinics, for which they could be subject to fines of up to $10,000 and imprisonment. Abortion rights activists and providers argue that these laws effectively overturn the protections established by the 1973 Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade.
Following the passage of Texas' anti-abortion law in September, both Lyft and Uber announced that they would cover drivers' legal fees. Now, both companies are doing the same for drivers in Oklahoma.
Picture: cnet
Oklahoma's legislature approved the bill shortly after they introduced it. Lyft CEO Logan Green confirmed on Twitter that the company "will cover 100 percent of legal fees" for drivers in connection with the new law.
Woman's access to healthcare is being attacked once more, this time in Oklahoma, according to Lyft CEO Logan Green in a statement sent out via Twitter. "Lyft drivers are once again caught in the middle. We know that transportation should not be a problem in receiving health care, and we believe it is our responsibility to assist both our rider and driver communities."
Aside from that, Green stated that the company is "working with health provider partners to create a safe state program" that will cover travel costs for riders seeking out-of-state abortive care. According to Green, women in Oklahoma and Texas who seek out-of-state abortion care will be covered by this program. Lyft also claims to cover travel expenses for insured US-based Lyft drivers who need to travel more than 100 miles to an abortion clinic to obtain an abortion.
Additionally, Lyft will cover travel costs for its employees enrolled in U.S. medical benefits, including protection for elective abortion if the laws require them to travel outside of Texas or Oklahoma to find care.
Abortion providers and rights organizations in Oklahoma have filed lawsuits against S.B. 1503 and its counterparts to have the legislation struck down before it takes effect.
