AARP: Assembly Takes Big Step to Help Caregivers by Passing Paid Family Leave Bill

Statement by AARP NYS Director Beth Finkel:

“Paid family leave would help not only parents caring for newborns, but adult children caring for their own parents, New Yorkers caring for their spouses and anyone caring for an older family member. AARP thanks Speaker Heastie, Assemblywoman Nolan and the Assembly for passing strong legislation and making paid family leave a priority.

“Many family caregivers hold down full-time jobs, and they shouldn’t have to worry about losing pay – or losing ocus on caring for their loved ones.

“Paid family leave is both compassionate and cost-effective; it would foster more productive workplaces, giving workers the economic peace of mind they need to provide the invaluable care that helps their loved ones age with dignity at home rather than in far more costly and mostly taxpayer-funded institutional settings such as nursing homes.

“Our population is aging. New York’s nearly 2.6 million family caregivers – who provide unpaid care valued at $31.3 billion a year - will only become more and more stressed as time goes on. They are a resource we should support.

"AARP volunteers traveled to Albany from across the state today to urge our legislators to pass this bill and address the issue.

“California, New Jersey and Rhode Island offer paid family leave. So should New York. An AARP-commissioned survey of voters 50 and older across New York state in 2014 found 73 percent support paid family leave. The need is growing. AARP applauds Governor Cuomo for prioritizing this issue and we urge the Senate to act. We need to pass a strong paid family leave law this year.”

Contact: Erik Kriss, ekriss@aarp.org

Follow us on Twitter:   @AARPNY and Facebook: AARP New York

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at www.aarp.org

###