WASHINGTON D.C. (September 16, 2025) – Today, U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro and U.S. Senator Gillibrand introduced the Family and Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act, which would create a national paid family and medical leave program to help ensure that people who work can take the time they need to address serious health and caregiving needs. In response, Nicole Jorwic, Chief Program Officer at Caring Across Generations, released the following statement:
“Families across America are at a breaking point. Without national paid family and medical leave, families are being stretched past their limits — emotionally, physically, and financially — simply because our country has failed to act.
“The U.S. is one of the only nations in the world that doesn’t guarantee paid family and medical leave, and the consequences are devastating. Millions of workers — especially women and people of color — are being pushed out of the workforce, losing income, and risking their health because they cannot afford to take the time to care. This is not just a policy gap; it is a national emergency for families. That’s why more than 200 organizations have now endorsed this bill.
“Paid family and medical leave is a lifeline. It means families can come together in moments of crisis without losing everything. Every day without national paid leave, more families are falling through the cracks.
“Congress must act now. The FAMILY Act is not just legislation — it is the only way to ensure families are not abandoned in their most vulnerable moments. Our economy cannot be strong if our families are broken. Families cannot wait any longer.”
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Caring Across Generations is a national organization of family caregivers, care workers, disabled people, and aging adults working to transform the way we care in this country so that care is accessible, affordable and equitable— and our systems of care enable everyone to live, work, and age with dignity.
To achieve our vision, we transform cultural norms and narratives about aging, disability and care; win federal and state-level policies; and build power amongst the people touched by care. For more information, visit caringacross.org.