Lionsgate will mandate new policies and protections for abortion care for its employees in the wake of the overturning of Roe V. Wade, the company’s CEO Jon Feltheimer announced to staff on Friday.
“Our Company’s position on this matter is clear and unequivocal: the reproductive rights of every employee must be protected, individual choice will be safeguarded, and access to necessary health services will be prioritized,”Feltheimer sent his weekly memo to staff Friday, which was obtained by. “We are currently engaged in the process of developing a thoughtful and comprehensive policy to carry out this mandate – one that factors in health insurance issues, the legal and regulatory frameworks of the states in which we operate, and a host of other issues.”
This week, a collective of Hollywood’s studios responded to an open letter signed by over 400 showrunners and TV creators demanding more specific demands as it pertains to abortions, including an outline of medical care for employees, criminal and legal protection and an end to political donations to anti-abortion candidates. Lionsgate was notably absent from that group, but the studio’s CEO has now issued its own directive on protecting abortion care.
Many Hollywood studios immediately announced plans to pay for abortion and travel expenses of employees who live or work in states that have made abortion illegal. On Friday, trustees of SAG/AFTRA Health Plan unanimously approved a benefit which would also cover travel expenses related abortion care.
Lionsgate is a producer for the Starz series “P-Valley,”The film was shot in Georgia, where abortions are illegal once a fetal heartbeat has been detected.
Read Feltheimer’s full memo to staff below:
Dear Colleagues
We place safety and well being of our employees as our top priority. Our policies and procedures are strong to protect employees from harassment, discrimination, bullying, and invasions of privacy. In the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, it has become necessary to develop strong policies and add to our comprehensive benefits to protect our employees’ reproductive rights as well.
This sensitive issue may bring out different views within the Lionsgate community. In keeping with our core values, we commit to an open, respectful, tolerant, mutually supportive, and respectful internal dialogue. But our Company’s position on this matter is clear and unequivocal:ReproductiveEvery employee’s rights must be protectedIndividual choice will not be compromised, and patients will have priority access to health services.. We are currently engaged in the process of developing a thoughtful and comprehensive policy to carry out this mandate – one that factors in health insurance issues, the legal and regulatory frameworks of the states in which we operate, and a host of other issues.
Have a relaxing and safe weekend.
Jon Feltheimer CEO, Lionsgate
VarietyThe news was first reported.
