County Board Supervisor Introduces Budget Amendment to Reimburse Travel Expenses for County Employees for Abortion Care

October 24, 2022
County Board Supervisor Mike Bare, (608) 620-3001
County Board

County Board Supervisor Mike Bare will bring a budget amendment forward at the Personnel and Finance Committee meeting tonight that, if included in the budget, will reimburse Dane County employees for travel expenses to travel out of state for abortion care.

“While an archaic state law is preventing people from accessing reproductive health care, this amendment will help County employees and their spouses and dependents with the cost of travelling to get this important care. Many private employers are providing this benefit, and it’s one more way the County can continue to be a competitive employer while helping employees exercise their rights,” said County Board Supervisor Mike Bare (District 32).

The justification for the amendment indicates that given the abortion ban in the State of Wisconsin going into effect following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, residents seeking abortion care incur significant costs to travel to states where this care is legally accessible. This benefit will cover travel expenses include transportation, accommodation, and related costs.

The current provider for Dane County employee health insurance is not able to provide travel benefits to obtain abortion services. 

If approved, Dane County Employee relations will work with the County's insurance broker to identify an option to provide this benefit and implement a contract with an appropriate vendor.

“This is one simple way we can show our support for abortion rights and for County employees,” said County Board Supervisor Elizabeth Doyle (District 1), Chair of the Personnel and Finance Committee. 

The amendment will be considered at tonight’s meeting, which begins at 5:30pm.