What do the United States and Papua New Guinea have in common? They are the only countries in the world without paid family leave. American families are often forced to choose between tending to a spouse or parent with an unexpected medical emergency, or keeping their job and health insurance.
Every year, working families lose $20.6 billion in lost wages due to a lack of paid family and medical leave.
Only 14% of workers have paid leave through their employers. Only 5% of low-wager workers do.
2/3 of our current workforce provide care for aging family members without paid leave.