One Reason that Optimist Economy is All In on Paid Family and Medical Leave

We've got some news about a hiatus later this year before Season 2.

Hey Optimists!

Robin here. Nearly every topic we choose to discuss on the podcast has a little backstory. So here’s one of the primary reasons that paid family leave has been top-of-mind:

Don’t worry, we still have eight more episodes to go before our hiatus, and then we’ll be back in early 2026. We’ll also use the downtime to take in some feedback, retool and plan for Season 2.

On the Podcast: What’s It Going to Take to Get a Policy That 80% of Americans Want?

So the connection here between that announcement and the topic of the day is that many people think of Paid Family and Medical Leave as just a wonky term for “maternity/parental leave.” But it isn't just for — or even primarily for — new parents. Taking time off for your own medical needs actually outnumbers “family leave” claims in existing state programs. (Though you can bet that caring for aging relatives will only increase as the U.S. population ages.)

Still, if you’re confused about what exactly qualifies for such leave, who gets it and who doesn’t, and how this is or isn’t like short-term disability… well, you have every right to be confused. The United States remains stubbornly alone among developed nations in failing to guarantee paid family leave nationwide, despite polls showing overwhelming public support for the policy. Instead, we’re left with a mishmash of differing policies in some states, and private-sector leave benefits that cover only about a quarter of workers.

The most direct solution runs through the Social Security Administration, where the infrastructure already exists to cover every worker with portable benefits that follow them across jobs and states. But that might mean that we’re left waiting until Congress is ready to deal with that third rail of politics: Social Security funding.

As always, you can listen to the whole episode, “The Case for Going Big on Paid Family Leave,” wherever you get your podcasts.

Elsewhere on Substack

If you didn’t have a chance to read Kathryn’s big summation of what’s going on in the economy/labor market/interest rates and why it’s all so confusing right now, it’s over on her personal Substack, Kedits.

"I am so confused"

Got questions?

We’re recording the next Q&A episode in about 10 days, so if you’ve got a question, now’s the time. As always, send us your questions about how the economy works, how it’s measured, what research you’re wondering about, or pitch your tax ideas. Email us at optimist.economy@gmail.com or leave us a voicemail at (202) 643-0295 .

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