MCC Congratulates Tom Wolf
We congratulate Tom Wolf on winning Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race. We hope this election will usher in a new era of much needed progress on maternal and child health in Pennsylvania. We look forward to working with Mr. Wolf’s team and state lawmakers to promote legislation related to early childhood development, workplace support for breastfeeding mothers, access to the new health care marketplace, support for women before, during, and after pregnancy and ensuring a fair, livable wage for working Pennsylvanians.
For 35 years, MCC has dedicated itself to improving maternal and child health and wellbeing through the collaborative efforts of individuals, families, providers and communities. We focus our efforts on neighborhoods with high rates of poverty, infant mortality, health disparities, and changing immigration patterns. We submit the following call to action to Governor-elect Tom Wolf:
· Work with state legislators to pass the Pennsylvania Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (HB 1892 and SB 1209), introduced by Rep. Mark Painter (D-Montgomery), which would require certain employers to make reasonable accommodations related to pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions.
· Work with state legislators to pass the Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Act (HB 1895), introduced by Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery), which would require employers to provide break time and a private, sanitary space for employees who need to express breast milk.
· Support U.S. Senator Casey (D-PA) in his efforts to pass the federal Pregnant Workers Fairness Act.
- Raise PA’s minimum wage to $10.10/hour, indexed to inflation, from the current federal level of $7.25/hour
· Work with state legislators to pass pay-equity legislation.
· Replace Corbett’s Healthy PA plan with a full expansion of Medicaid under the 2010 federal health care reform law.
· Support legislation related to the earliest years of childhood development (ages 0-3). Research shows that a child’s first years of life are critical in ensuring healthy mental, social, and physical growth needed for preschool and a lifetime of learning and wellbeing.
MCC is optimistic that Governor-elect Wolf will transform Pennsylvania into a national leader on maternal and child health matters. Pennsylvania can no longer afford to overlook women as leaders at home and in the workplace, as caregivers, educators, influencers, and economic contributors. We look forward to contributing our knowledge and energy to Mr. Wolf’s efforts to improve the lives of each and every Pennsylvanian.