Caring Across Generations Applauds the Introductions of the FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 17, 2023)—Today, elected leaders introduced the Family And Medical Insurance Leave (FAMILY) Act and the Healthy Families Act to address the country’s paid family and medical leave crisis.
Sponsored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.) and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (N.Y.), the FAMILY Act would create a comprehensive national program that helps meet the needs of new parents and people with serious personal or family health issues through a shared fund that makes paid leave affordable for employers of all sizes and for workers and their families.
Sponsored by Rep. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.) and Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), the Healthy Families Act would guarantee working people the ability to earn up to seven paid sick days a year to recover from short-term illnesses, access preventive care, care for a sick family member or seek assistance related to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking.
Statement by Nicole Jorwic, Chief of Advocacy & Campaigns at Caring Across Generations:
“We know families and the nation are strongest when we have time to heal from illness or injury, to welcome a new child, or to care for a loved one. The FAMILY Act and the Healthy Families Act are important steps forward for families and workers across this country. It is well past time for national paid family and medical leave policies that meet the country’s needs and truly honors families.
“Every person in this country — across every socioeconomic background, every race and every stage of life — will need to give or receive care at some point in their life. We need sustainable paid family and medical leave policies in place so that families and businesses are never scrambling for piecemeal solutions when illnesses strike or caregiving needs arise.
“People shouldn’t have to choose between doing well and living well. If Congress doesn’t take this issue seriously, millions of us will continue to struggle to do what matters most: care for ourselves and the people we love.”
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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 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.