Paid family medical leave a good idea for Wisconsin

At some point in our lives most of us will need to receive medical care. Or at least help care for a sick family member. But in Wisconsin, that often means deciding whether to get the necessary care, or earn a paycheck. Wisconsin remains among the states without a paid family medical leave program, meaning those who are sick or caring for a sick family member won’t be getting paid if they take time off. That should change. A bill introduced in Madison last week called the Paid Medical Leave Act would provide compensation for those who otherwise would have to choose between earning a paycheck and caring for a new baby or sick family member. Nearly 2.5 million workers in Wisconsin do not have access to paid family and medical leave through their employer. Many choose to quit work when faced with such a situation, and that increases the problem of worker shortages in the state. Providing paid family medical leave is a popular idea. A recent Marquette University Law School poll finds 73% of Wisconsinites approve of providing paid leave for new parents. This bill deserves to be passed, because we shouldn’t have to choose between caring for a sick family member and earning a paycheck.