Every year roughly four million women give birth in the United States, and most of them (more than three-quarters) start out breastfeeding. Study after study has affirmed the value of breastfeeding in protecting both mothers and children from a host of acute and chronic diseases and conditions, saving billions in health care costs. Breastfeeding mothers also report feeling more closely bonded with their babies—a factor which may lower the risk of postpartum depression.
For decades, women and families have been penalized by punitive and predatory insurance practices that have restricted their access to quality, affordable care. But the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is changing that. It is the greatest advance for women’s health in a generation.
Last week, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)—the agency that enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination—announced that charges of discrimination hit an unprecedented level in 2010. News coverage over the past few days has focused on who or what is to blame, and what this could mean for the future.
Few workplace policies in the United States recognize the dual demands of work and family. Our lack of a paid sick time standard is a prime example.
We often talk about the importance of a for families’ economic security and our public health — but paid sick days are also an issue of basic fairness.
Our country needs more adequate, reasonable and flexible sick leave policies. Tens of millions of workers in this country don’t have a single paid sick day. Many of those who do can’t use them to meet their family’s health needs. As a result, kids and their parents are forced to go to school or work sick, contagion spreads, and public health suffers.
A few weeks ago, voters sent a clear message: They want Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to address the issues facing working families. But when Senators took their first vote after returning to Washington, they missed the chance to do just that. Yesterday’s vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act was a failed opportunity and a real disappointment for all of us who care about fairness, women’s progress, and economic security for working families.
Dan Malloy, former mayor of Stamford, Connecticut, and staunch supporter of paid sick days, was elected governor of Connecticut earlier this month — demonstrating the importance of paid sick days to working families in Connecticut, and the power the issue can have in an election.
Today, the Senate returns to Washington — and the Paycheck Fairness Act is one of the first bills on its agenda. Passing the Paycheck Fairness Act is more important than ever.
Today’s working families are juggling ‘Ozzie and Harriet’ policies in a web 2.0 world, and it’s simply not sustainable. Workers are struggling to care for their families while both parents hold jobs. Families are straining to meet increasing child- and eldercare responsibilities. Parents have little savings to fall back on, and few jobs – and even fewer good jobs – to apply for, should they lose the jobs they have.
The National Partnership was pleased to be invited to participate in the National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility in smaller businesses, sponsored by the White House and U.S. Department of Labor in Dallas, Texas last month. This event was the first of four National Dialogue on Workplace Flexibility events, scheduled for 2010 and 2011. Next up is a regional event in Atlanta next week focused on workplace flexibility in the health care industry.
President Obama has made protecting women’s economic security a priority since Day One.
City Council Speaker Christine Quinn’s decision to oppose the New York City Paid Sick Time Act — despite a supermajority in the City Council that is in favor of the bill — is incredibly disappointing.
As Members of Congress campaign for votes at home, the National Partnership for Women & Families and two of our key allies have been hard at work educating Congressional staff about the public health and economic security case for paid sick days policies.
It is well-documented that the wage gap hurts women and their families by denying them the fair wages that would help them pay for essential items like groceries, gasoline, and rent or mortgage payments. But the pay gap hurts women long after they have left the workforce, too.
Throughout the long, hot summer — despite the veto-proof majority in the New York City Council, despite the endless terrible experiences of workers who’ve been forced to work sick, despite the loads of testimony in favor of the Paid Sick Time Act — New York’s proposed paid sick days law has remained in limbo.
Six months ago today, President Obama signed the health care bill into law. And with his signature, our health care system was opened up for renovation. But, like any remodeling job, we’ve got a long way to go before the final product will be ready for a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Congress has only a few weeks left before it adjourns for the election – and the Senate still hasn’t taken up the Paycheck Fairness Act. Time is running out, and women deserve – and need – fair pay.
Sunday was National Grandparents Day – and this year, we can do more for our grandparents than send candy or flowers. Let’s take action to improve the health and economic security of our grandparents — and all of America’s grandparents.
Today is Women’s Equality Day, when we celebrate the fact that, 90 years ago, a group of dedicated women and men made history when the 19th Amendment passed, guaranteeing a woman’s right to vote.
