On July 11, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Social Security, Pensions, and Family Policy held a hearing – “Examining the Importance of Paid Family Leave for American Working Families.” Among the witnesses was Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), who testified that she is working with colleagues Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Mike Lee (R-UT) on legislation to provide new parents (only) with the option to receive paid leave, in exchange for which their Social Security retirement benefits would be deferred. Another witness was Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who testified in favor of the FAMILY Act (S. 337), which she sponsored. The FAMILY Act would establish a tax to fund paid leave taken for one’s own illness, birth or adoption, or the care of other family members. A related bill (H.R. 947) has been introduced in the House.

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Our Vision

With families at the center of health care, all children and youth reach their full potential and health disparities are eliminated.

Our Mission

Family Voices is a national organization and grassroots network of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities that promotes partnership with families—including those of cultural, linguistic and geographic diversity—in order to improve health care services and policies for children.

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