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Statement

Moms Leaders Urge Congress to Quickly Pass the Healthy Families Act

March 14, 2019
Paid Sick Days

Lisa Lederer, 202-371-1996

Statement from leaders of MomsRising, an online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the introduction of the Healthy Families Act in Congress today:

“Everyone gets sick, but not everyone has a chance to get better.  No one in this country should have to choose between earning a paycheck and taking time off from work to recuperate from illness or stay home with a sick child. But at least 34 million workers in the United States today cannot earn a single paid sick day to use when they get sick. The Healthy Families Act would change that by creating a national paid sick and safe days standard.

“We thank and commend Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) for introducing the Healthy Families Act, which would let workers earn up to seven paid sick days per year to recover from short-term illness, get preventive care, care for a family member who is sick or seek help related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. This is legislation the country needs.”

--Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO of MomsRising

“Earned sick days keep people in the jobs they need, save employers money by reducing turnover and the costs associated with it, and also save costs associated with ‘presenteeism,’ which is when people end up having to come to work sick and get others sick. Eleven states and 22 jurisdictions have, or will soon have, paid sick days laws in place – but every worker in our country needs and deserves this basic support. The moms of America know this and it’s time for Congress to take action too.

“The Healthy Families Act would be a boon for families, our economy and our public health. Congress should pass it now.”

--Statement of Ruth Martin, Vice President, Workplace Justice Campaigns, MomsRising

 

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.