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I work as a public health nurse and see families of all types and economic situations struggle to balance the demands of work and family.  I support Family Leave Insurance because I see it as cost-effective way to promote health and because it will especially benefit low-income families.  Low-income families are more likely to be in poor health and less likely to have jobs that offer any paid leave.  Many workers simply cannot afford to take the unpaid time off that FMLA/OFLA allows.   

Research has shown that access to paid parental leave can reduce child mortality and contribute to healthy child development.  There is also evidence that parents-both mothers and fathers-benefit from being able to take leave.  Mothers who are able to delay returning to work after giving birth are less depressed.  Fathers who take longer leaves after the birth of a child are more involved in childrearing activities once they return to work.

Family Leave Insurance would improve health outcomes for vulnerable children and improve the economic situation of many Oregon families.  Those are things we should all support.  

posted 4 years, 1 month ago
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