The following is a statement from A Better Balance Co-Presidents Sherry Leiwant and Dina Bakst:
A Better Balance applauds President Biden for announcing a historic set of executive orders to improve the accessibility and affordability of childcare and long-term care in our nation and improve the lives and livelihoods of care workers and family caregivers.
For too long, our inadequate care infrastructure has meant that millions of workers who are providing paid and unpaid care to children, elderly individuals, and other loved ones lack the tools and resources they need to thrive. These investments in care will play an important role in advancing economic, gender, disability, and racial justice in the U.S., especially as women of color disproportionately shoulder both paid and unpaid care work.
As an organization founded on the principle that every worker deserves to care for themselves and their loved ones, without risking their health or economic security, we thank the Biden-Harris Administration for again demonstrating its deep commitment to working families. These executive orders will help to build a stronger foundation of support for care in our country, and send the message that the work of providing care is valuable and essential.
We look forward to continuing to work with the President and Congress to build on this progress and pass legislation to guarantee paid leave for all, universal paid sick time, fair and flexible scheduling, and the other policy supports workers caring for themselves and their loved ones need.
