Activistas

Impressive LTE in The O on high cost of birth w/o health care

It is far too seldom that I read the whole newspaper, let alone the Letters to the Editor.  Not quite that much space in my day, you know? 

So with great coincidence (or not?), I opened The O today for like 2 seconds, and after explaining the health care reform cartoon and arrows through an apple on Obama's head to my ever-curious 6-YO, I zeroed in on this excellent letter from a NE Pdx mom:

Pregnancy changes picture
As a lower middle class American who makes just enough money to have health insurance benefits through my employer, but barely enough money for food, much less my mortgage, I am appalled at the lack of true critical thinking regarding healthcare reform by our leaders.

I do not qualify for any level of public assistance, and yet as a pregnant woman, I am expected to pay $3,000 for the birth of my child. After the birth, I am expected to pay an additional $350 per month to cover insurance for my child while I am on maternity leave making 60 percent of my salary.

I do not have the financial ability to cover this. So my child will enter this world in December added to the list of uninsured children, as I struggle to pay off the debt of birth. As a person with health insurance, I did not realize the lack of support for pregnant women until I became one myself. Most countries with demonstrated positive health outcomes do not charge for birth and provide a year of paid maternity leave; compared with my six weeks of pay at 60 percent, followed by unpaid leave under the Family Medical Leave Act, if I can afford to take it.

The U.S. government needs to rethink the system that keeps a majority of Americans from succeeding, increases debt and puts family health second to corporate well-being.

DAYNA MORRISON
Northeast Portland

Say it, Dana!  Anyone else care to weigh in publicly?  It's easy: Just say what you gotta say in 150 words or less and email it to The O.  Voila, important opinion shared.

[thanks to flickr & borman818 for the cold cash pic]

Paid family leave: It's far too quiet in Salem

Well, we've worked hard and written a-l-o-t here on Activistas about the effort to pass a paid family leave bill here in Oregon.  And we're tired.  And far as I can tell, there's no bill yet.  Progress?  Yes. A new law?  Not yet - and there's a mere 3 weeks left this legislative session.  Anyone????  Salem????

Guess the good folks in Salem aren't quite getting it about work-family balance and the need for Oregon families to have time to care for each other.  Maybe the business community is not quite on board - 'cause yikes, we workers might actually breastfeed our babies for as long as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends, or accompany our partner to chemotherapy or sit next to our dying parents without going bankrupt or losing our job. 

Do they get the serious challenges families face here in Oregon??  Trying to work when school's out for 3 months (last I checked, my office doesn't close for the summer - yours?), trying to tend to ill family members when they've got no sick leave, trying to afford child care and 10 different summer camps.  If I sound bitter, you're a good judge.

How long will it take, that's what I want to know?  How long?  I'm beginning to think that it will take until we have enough legislators in Salem who get it.  And we don't right now.  They're clearly out of touch with my experience of life in Oregon.

Moms Rising on Oregon paid family leave: Send that email!

We're still working this one, mamas.  And Moms Rising is working hard right along with us.  Did you get their email today about Oregon paid family leave?  If not, quick sign up to get their always-worthwhile e-alerts because they work hard on a lot of family-forward issues and can use all the grassroots help they can get. 

Here's what today's message said about Oregon paid family leave - and how you can (and should!) help:

Great news!!! Thanks in large part to your letters, calls, and, yes, sandwich grams, we got the Paid Family Leave bill over its first major hurdle in the Oregon Legislature. Last week, the bill was voted favorably out of the Senate Commerce and Workforce Committee.  Great job!

Let's keep this bill moving!  There are still a few more steps in the legislative process before the Family Leave Insurance bill becomes law -- your legislators need to hear from you so they know that we want this bill to go all the way.

Tell your Legislators to keep Family Leave Insurance moving today - just click here.

Why would Family Leave Insurance help Oregon's families? Right now, having a baby is a leading cause of "poverty spells" in this country (times when income dips below what's needed for basic living expenses like food and rent).  Paid Family Leave helps families bridge the income gap caused by folks being unable to go to work because they have to care for a new baby or a sick parent or spouse.  We need Paid Family Leave to help Oregon families stay out of poverty--especially in this time when so many families are already vulnerable.

If we all speak up, we could really win this one. 

Join the conversation on Think Out Loud this Thursday 4.16 @ 9 A.M.

Where will you be from 9 till 10 A.M. this Thursday morning?  Hopefully listening to OPB's Think Out Loud show on paid family leave.  Our moment is here, mamas.  Whether you'll be in your car, at your desk, or in the sandbox, this is a big one.  The question they're asking is: Should family leave be paid?  Uh, yeah.

Here's how they describe the show - and the issue:

Should workers receive paid family leave to care for a newborn or a sick relative? It's a question being debated in the Oregon Legislature, which last week heard testimony on a bill that would create a state insurance program to accomplish just that. Under the proposal, workers at companies with 25 or more employees would be assessed a two cent per hour payroll tax for a state fund which would then provide $300 a week in paid leave for full-time employees up to six weeks. Part-time workers would receive pro-rated benefits. (Similar legislation narrowly failed in the state Senate in 2007.)

Currently, workers who meet specified criteria are generally eligible for up to 12 weeks of unpaid family leave under state law (a period which can be extended under certain conditions), but paid leave is not mandatory.

This isn't just an issue in Oregon. In the nation's capitol, a bill is pending in Congress that would create a paid family and medical leave insurance program, and other legislation is under consideration which would provide some paid leave for federal workers.

Supporters of paid family leave like Regan Gray of Children First For Oregon call the bill "life happening insurance." Meanwhile, detractors, such as J.L. Wilson, a business lobbyist with Associated Oregon Industries say the bill is "government at its worst." He worries that the program will be unsustainable and lead to further taxes on workers or businesses and will be unfair to those who don't need such leave.

Participate!  There are a bunch of ways to help our campaign during this show: Tell your friends and family about it, post a comment on the show's blog - they use it for questions during the show, call in and share your story or opine. Opining, of course, is always good.

Paid Family Leave Hearing: A Smashing Success!!

Thank you to all of you who took the time to come down to Salem yesterday to testify and to fill the hearing room.  Mission accomplished!  

The scene in Salem, if you missed it

State Police were called to the doors of the hearing room for crowd control because so many more people were there than there were seats in the room.  Toddlers and preschoolers played in the halls of the Capitol as their moms and dads watched the hearing from a television outside the room. 

A silent symphony of moms and babies alternating between sitting in the hearing room and going out to the hall as kids got noisy or restless.  Each of us taking turns holding each others babies while others testified.  It was amazing.  Something about seeing kids playing and babies cooing in the Capitol just gets me, feels just like things working like they should.

The crowds may make it seem like being there in person isn't as necessary, but the exact opposite is true.  It was EXACTLY the visual we needed to convince those Senators that we parents really support this - enough to schlep all the way to Salem...with kids even.  

This is a divisive issue, so our role is critical

It's weird that this bill has become as divisive as it has.  Seems like kind of a no-brainer for many of us, especially considering how alone in the world the U.S. is on this issue.  But, divisive it is.  There has been a lot of activity among business lobbyists in the Capitol who oppose this bill - and they have been effective at planting a seed of doubt about our support. 

One of our strongest responses is to turn out actual people who can stand together and say: "Oregonians want this!!".  30+ people from various organizations and backgrounds came to testify in support of SB 966, and only 3 came out to testify against.  It was amazing.  If you'd like to listen to the hearing in it's entirety (something I highly recommend) - you can listen here.  The first 8 minutes and 40 seconds is a hearing on a different (but related) bill.  The rest is SB 966.

Thank you also to those of you who couldn't be there yesterday but who called or emailed the members of the committee to show your support  And if you haven't done that - there's still time!  Please make your calls anytime this week.  Check out our post from Tuesday that gives all the details about who to call and what to say. 

4.8.09: Can't make the hearing? Call your state legislator instead - Like NOW

So today's the day, folks.  4.8.09.  Senate committee hearing on paid family leave insurance in Oregon.  Our big chance to take a giant leap forward in this state toward supporting families in the workplace. 

As much as we'd really, really, really love to have your actual physical body in Salem today, we understand if it can't be because, well, we've been there, too.  We all have. 

So, if you're down with this paid family leave idea and wish you could join us but simply can't - for at least 2 reasons I can list off the top of my head, like: kids & work - never fear, you can take coordinated action with us today anyway.  How? 

Pick up the phone, of course.  And call the committee members we'll be wowing in person.  That way, when they get back to their offices after two solid hours of amazingly convincing testimony from the pro-crowd, their staff will say:

"You'll never believe it, Senator, but 50 Oregonians called during the hearing to say how much they want you to vote for it."

And you want that, don't you?  I know we do.  And it's easy!  Truly.  No need to explain yourself, simply tell their staff that you support SB 966 and sure hope their boss will, too. Or, if you're feeling verbose, you can do a little strong arming.  Like, say:

"My name is _________________.  I am calling Senator X because I wanted her/him to know that I support Senate Bill 966 - a bill that would establish a paid family leave insurance program.  I know she/he is a member of the Commerce and Workforce Development Committee and that she/he is attending a hearing to consider this bill today.   

I can't be there because (insert reason).  Sometimes it's hard for constituents to make it to a hearing, especially those of us feeling sandwiched as we try to balance work and family.  But I wanted you to know that I support this bill and hope you will too.  I think paid family leave insurance will help families who are struggling to balance the demands of caring for their families and providing for them.  In these economic times Oregon's families need your support more than ever."

Whether you're succinct or chatty, just do it.  It really matters.

Here's who to call:

Senator Chris Telfer  (Co-chair)
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1727
Email: sen.christelfer@state.or.us

Senator Floyd Prozanski  
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1704
Email: sen.floydprozanski@state.or.us

Senator Laurie Monnes Anderson
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1725
Email: sen.lauriemonnesanderson@state.or.us

Senator Larry George
Capitol Phone: 503-986-1713
Email: sen.larrygeorge@state.or.us

Blog Action Day: Let's pass paid family leave in Oregon

Today is the day.  The day that as many bloggers as we managed to reach and convince across Oregon are posting on this important bill that comes before a small group of state senators this Wednesday, 4/8.  Why?  So as many blog-reading Oregonians as possible can hear about the bill and contact their legislators to support it - which you can easily do via email here. 

And if you - or someone you know - is wondering why we need paid family leave, here's Oregon's own Ali to tell you:

Paid Family Leave - Ali from Parents for Paid Leave on Vimeo.

So how would this program work?  SB 966, creating Oregon Family Leave Insurance, will give employees 6 weeks of paid leave for a new child or ill family member. This Insurance builds on existing family leave laws that already provide 12 weeks of unpaid, job‐protected leave. Oregon Family Leave Insurance will cover all employees who are eligible under the current Oregon family leave laws, meaning they work for a firm with 25 or more employees.

Smaller employers will be able to opt‐in to this insurance so they can offer these same benefits to their employees as well. The insurance benefit is funded through a 2 cent per hour payroll deduction from employee salaries (about $42 per year). This modest contribution enables workers to be eligible for $300 per week, $1,800 per year. The deduction is collected through existing quarterly combined payroll reporting methods. The benefit, enforcement and administration is performed by the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

Still got questions? Check out the Oregon Time to Care web site or read the bill for yourself.

Paid family leave hearing in Salem: Your body needed

If you've been reading Activistas for more than, like, a day, you know all about Parents for Paid Leave and our effort to pass a bill in Oregon this legislative session.  In fact, just the other day, we asked our good friends over on urbanMamas to take at least one - hopefully more - of five important actions to support this bill. 

But here on Activistas, where the activists lurk, we're asking readers to take one single, very important action: schlep to Salem with us for the bill's first hearing in the state Senate next Wednesday, April 8th @ 2:30.  No, you don't have to testify - or even say a word.  Just fill the hearing room.  Stand there and show our representatives how very many of us there are. 

Is it hard to get to Salem at 3 PM on a Wednesday when you're a parent?  Hell yeah.  Am I going?  Wouldn't miss it for anything.  We hope you'll join us, because if the bill fails in this committe, it all ends there.  One afternoon to make this happen - one very important afternoon.

Bring the kids.  We are.  And not only because we have to.  Because for us, this is about them.  And they fill the room, they make folks smile.  And  - importantly - they learn from our participation in government. 

Gonna come?  Phew.  Meet us on the capitol steps @ 2:30 on the 8th, or email us to coordinate at info@parentsforpaidleave.org. 

PS - You can make a day of it with the kids and visit nearby A.C. Gilbert 's Discovery Village.

Businesses for paid family leave? You bet.

A whole lotta parents support paid family leave.  That we know.  But businesses?  Yes, it turns out, them too. Take Sattie, a Portland mom and business owner who sees the issue from both angles. 

Listen to her story and perspective in this short video, and if you own or have friends and family that own a business in Oregon, PLEASE ask them to speak up for the paid family leave bill being considered this session. 

The voice of business will be critical in moving this forward, and the time for them to sign on and speak up is now, mamas!  You can see a current list of coalition partners on the Oregon Time to Care website.  There's a hearing scheduled in two weeks (Wednesday April 8th @ 3 PM: gonna be there?), and we need business support by then.

Can you help?  Just get in touch with Parents for Paid Leave spokesperson Andrea Paluos at info@parentsforpaidleave.org if you want materials or other support.  We're happy to do the talking! 

[This terrific pro bono video was created by the generous & amazing Savannah Teller of local Teller Films.]

Support paid family leave for all federal employees: Email your Representative today

Thanks to Moms Rising for letting us know that this bill is back in action.  We were all excited back in 2008 when it passed the U.S. House of Representatives, but now it sounds truly possible.  Here's what you'll be saying to your representative in Congress when you send this email:

I am a member of MomsRising.org, and I live in your district.  I am writing today to ask you to cosponsor the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009. This bill passed in the House in 2008, and is currently being marked up in sub-committee for the 2009 session.

Under current law, Federal employees do not have any paid leave when they give birth or adopt a child.  While they receive up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected family leave, this is simply insufficient in the America of today, where families increasingly consist of dual earner couples with no full-time stay at home caregiver.  Paid leave improves the health of these families and the federal workforce in general, by affording mothers time to recover after childbirth, and by giving parents time to bond with new babies.

The shortcomings of current policies are exacerbated by the current recession.  Having a baby is a leading cause of poverty spells in our nation.  And Paid Parental Leave can stop those poverty spells before they start.  In the current economic crisis, it is more important than ever that we address this issue.

H.R. 626 allows Federal employees to be paid for 4 of those weeks (of the 12 unpaid allowed by FMLA) for parental leave.  Under H.R. 626, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, employees are now allowed to use accrued vacation days for the remainder of their parental leave.

While this legislation would only affect federal employees, in my mind the federal government ought to lead the way, so this is a good start.  Do I think 4 weeks is adequate?  No.  But it is 4 weeks at full pay  - something no other U.S. state policy provides.  Unless you're one of the very fortunate few who has stellar benefits through your employer.