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Talk about a delayed reaction.

For weeks, a coterie of consumers and businesses tried to convince Indiana lawmakers not to proceed with a bill that would make the state the first to enact a near-total ban on abortion. But in a puzzling move, Eli Lilly — which is one of Indiana’s biggest employers — didn’t join the effort or speak out publicly against the measure until after Gov. Eric Holcomb signed it into law late last week.

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In an after-the-fact statement, the big drug company expressed concern the new law will “hinder” its ability to attract “diverse scientific, engineering and business talent.” Expanding employee health coverage to include travel for abortions elsewhere “may not be enough for some current and potential employees.” Now, Lilly worried aloud that it will have to emphasize expansion plans outside Indiana.

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