Paid medical leave legislation gains momentum

USA Today on Monday examined the growing debate in Congress and across the U.S. on legislation that would provide paid medical leave to all workers.

Proposals already have been introduced in 13 states, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families. San Francisco in November 2006 passed compulsory paid medical leave legislation, and the Washington, D.C., City Council is weighing a similar law. Some states intend to put the matter up for a vote through ballot measures in next year's elections. Democratic presidential candidates Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) and Barack Obama (Ill.) also have voiced their support for the rulings, according to USA Today.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 43% of U.S. workers, or about 50 million people, do not receive paid medical leave benefits. Employees who do not qualify for paid time off for medical reasons often work in restaurants, retail stores and construction sites, USA Today notes.

Debra Ness, president of the National Partnership, said, "This issue is gaining momentum because paid sick leave seems as American as apple pie and baseball." Dale Butland of the Coalition for Healthy Families said employers that provide paid medical leave would help cut expenses because workers who are sick will not spread their illnesses to others. Butland said, "If every other industrialized country can do it and remain competitive, there's no reason America can't."

However, trade industry groups contend that requiring employers to provide paid sick leave could force other coverage benefits such as health care and vacation leave to be reduced. Ty Pine, legislative director of the National Federation of Independent Business in Ohio, said, "Paid sick leave isn't free," adding, "Show me where the law guarantees the business owner extra revenue to cover the costs" (Cauchon, USA Today, 11/12).