Dear Friends,
One hundred and fifty countries guarantee paid medical leave. The United States is not one of them.
As we continue recognizing Women’s History Month, I want to highlight an issue that directly impacts families, workers, and our economy, and women in particular: paid family and medical leave. It is an issue gaining momentum nationwide and one I believe Pennsylvania must address.
Across this country and across this commonwealth, far too many workers have delayed or forgone necessary care because they couldn’t afford time away from work. Small businesses are often forced to compete against larger entities with better leave policies. Leave policies are a meaningful investment in working families, small businesses, and long-term economic stability.
At the federal level, the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) guarantees up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave but only for eligible employees at larger companies with 50 or more employees. As a result, millions of workers, including many here in Pennsylvania, have no access to paid leave. This deficit in the law has created a patchwork of protections for individuals that vary by state.
Per NCSL, thirteen states have established paid family and medical leave programs. Most are funded through employee payroll contributions, with some including employer contributions or a requirement that employers provide coverage through private insurers. An additional ten states have created voluntary paid leave options that employers can choose to offer.
Momentum continues to build on this issue. On March 13, 2026, Virginia’s legislature passed a bill to provide nearly all workers in the Commonwealth with access to paid family and medical leave. The legislation would cover:
- Medical leave for serious health conditions, including pregnancy
- Caregiving leave for a loved one’s illness
- Parental leave to bond with a new child
- Safe leave for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking
- Military family leave related to deployment
Here in Pennsylvania, we currently have no paid family and medical leave program. However, legislation has been introduced in both chambers. In the House, Representative Jennifer O’Mara has introduced the Family Care Act (HB 200), which I am proud to co-sponsor. In the Senate, Senators Maria Collett and Devlin Robinson have introduced similar legislation (SB 906).
The need is clear: 66% of Pennsylvania workers, roughly 4 million people, lack access to paid family and medical leave. Pennsylvania is the only state in the Northeast without such a program, despite maintaining a strong and growing economy.
This puts us at a disadvantage. Neighboring states like New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware have already implemented paid leave policies. Without similar protections, Pennsylvania risks losing workers, particularly families, to states that better support them. In regions already experiencing population decline, this is an issue we cannot ignore.
Research from the Joint Economic Committee underscores that paid leave is not just a benefit for workers but rather a smart economic policy. Access to paid leave significantly increases the likelihood that workers return to their jobs rather than leaving the workforce, helping businesses retain experienced employees and avoid costly turnover, which can average about 21% of an employee’s annual salary. It also reduces the financial shocks that can push families into crisis; studies show that many bankruptcies are tied to missed work due to illness or caregiving, situations that paid leave would cover. By strengthening job attachment and improving financial stability, paid family and medical leave supports both a more resilient workforce and a stronger economy.
Yet, access to paid leave remains deeply unequal. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 48% of higher-wage workers have access to paid leave, compared to just 6% of lower-wage workers. Too often, those who need this benefit the most are the least likely to have it.
Paid leave is not just an economic issue; it’s a quality-of-life issue and an issue of dignity. It allows workers to care for themselves and their families without facing financial hardship. It keeps families engaged in the economy, reduces reliance on public assistance, and provides the security people need to grow their families or recover from illness.
The health impacts are just as significant. Paid leave is linked to improved physical and mental health outcomes, particularly for new parents and individuals managing chronic conditions. Per the Interdisciplinary Association for Population Health Sciences, “research from high-income countries shows that paid parental leave policies are consistently associated with improvements in maternal and child health outcomes." Increases in weeks of paid leave are associated with reduced infant mortality in 16 European countries and decreases in prenatal, post neonatal, infant, and under-five mortality in 35 OECD countries.
Having paid leave in place also helps address ever-growing health disparities. The lack of paid leave strongly impacts low-income workers, women, and people of color. Without paid leave, too many workers are forced to choose between their paycheck and their health. Some return to work too soon, risking incomplete recovery and long-term complications.
I am often reminded of my two colleagues, Rep O’Mara and Rep. Mihalek’s op-ed on paid leave, and they noted that nearly a quarter of mothers reporting having to return to work within 10 days after giving birth, further preventing babies from the essential bonding they need to thrive. The consequences are serious. Access to paid leave can reduce hospital readmissions after childbirth by as much as 50% and significantly lower rates of postpartum psychological distress. At a time when maternal health outcomes in the United States are worsening, expanding access to paid leave must be part of the solution.
Pennsylvania has an opportunity to act to support workers, strengthen families, strengthen our economy, and remain competitive in our region. Paid family and medical leave is not just good policy; it is a necessary investment in the future of our commonwealth.