Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act in a floor vote.
Dr. Jamila Perritt, incoming President and CEO and ob/gyn in Washington, D.C. responded with the following statement:
“As a front line provider of reproductive health care, I know that all pregnant workers deserve protections to ensure they are able to work in healthy and supportive environments. Workplace accommodations are a step in the right direction. No one should have to choose between what they need and deserve for a healthy pregnancy and their economic stability; that is simply what is ethical, fair, and right.
No one should have to choose between what they need and deserve for a healthy pregnancy and their economic stability; that is simply what is ethical, fair, and right.
“The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act helps ensure that those who are most likely to work in some of the most challenging settings, like immigrants and those with low incomes, have the humane protections they deserve.
“If the Senate truly cares about the well-being of pregnant workers, they will follow the lead of the House of Representatives and pass the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. This is an important step for pregnant workers across the country, but Congress must continue to pass legislation that will address the appalling rates of maternal mortality in the United States that disproportionately impact the Black community.”
