Massachusetts Paid Leave Coalition Releases Health Impact Assessment

On October 7, 2009, the Massachusetts Paid Leave Coalition released the Health Impact Assessment (HIA) of Paid Sick Days in Massachusetts, produced by Human Impact Partners and funded in part by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation. Drawing on data from various government offices and from focus groups around the state, the HIA concludes that the Paid Sick Days Act pending in the state legislature would have significant positive public health impacts for all people in the state, including:

• reduced spread of pandemic and seasonal flu
• reduced use of emergency room visits for routine care
• enhanced public protection from diseases carried by sick workers in restaurants, day cares, and nursing homes
• reduced hunger and homelessness among sick low-income workers

Read the Massachusetts HIA: http://www.humanimpact.org/PSD
The coalition held a press conference to release the HIA and some coalition members testified before the legislature’s Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. Coverage of the day’s events included:
“Push to make sure all workers get paid sick days” (NECN)
“Bill would guarantee paid sick days for Mass. workers” (Lowell Sun)
“With flu worries, paid sick days act pitched as public health measure” (Arlington Advocate)
“Mass. sick leave bill gains momentum” (Sentinel and Enterprise)
“Labor committee reviewing bill mandating paid sick days” (Bay State Banner)