Lelaine Bigelow
@lelaineb.bsky.social
Executive Director of Georgetown Center on Poverty and Inequality
Former National Partnership for Women & Families, Obama Administration, Capitol Hill staffer.
Former National Partnership for Women & Families, Obama Administration, Capitol Hill staffer.
Pinned
Lelaine Bigelow
@lelaineb.bsky.social
· Dec 17
🎙️Excited to share my recent conversation with Anne Pasmanick on @powerstation.bsky.social. We talked about the origins of the @georgetownpoverty.bsky.social and our long-term vision of economic well-being. Anne was a wonderful host and I can't wait to come back! soundcloud.com/user-5830177...
@pettersen.house.gov's testimony is a reminder that Congress wasn't designed with women in mind. Giving birth shouldn’t mean a Member—and her constituents—lose their voice.
We can modernize Congress and guarantee paid family and medical leave for every worker.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpyR...
We can modernize Congress and guarantee paid family and medical leave for every worker.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpyR...
Rules Committee Member Day Hearing for Proposed Rules Changes for the 120th Congress
YouTube video by HouseRules
www.youtube.com
September 2, 2026 at 7:14 PM
@pettersen.house.gov's testimony is a reminder that Congress wasn't designed with women in mind. Giving birth shouldn’t mean a Member—and her constituents—lose their voice.
We can modernize Congress and guarantee paid family and medical leave for every worker.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpyR...
We can modernize Congress and guarantee paid family and medical leave for every worker.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpyR...
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
On 9/15, the US Census Bureau will release reports on Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance for 2025—foreshadowing rising poverty & further harm to come.
CLASP President Wendy Chun-Hoon details 2025’s systemic failures & what we can expect to see: https://ow.ly/qx9q50ZHW4j
CLASP President Wendy Chun-Hoon details 2025’s systemic failures & what we can expect to see: https://ow.ly/qx9q50ZHW4j
September 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM
On 9/15, the US Census Bureau will release reports on Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance for 2025—foreshadowing rising poverty & further harm to come.
CLASP President Wendy Chun-Hoon details 2025’s systemic failures & what we can expect to see: https://ow.ly/qx9q50ZHW4j
CLASP President Wendy Chun-Hoon details 2025’s systemic failures & what we can expect to see: https://ow.ly/qx9q50ZHW4j
Head Start works because it gives kids more than an education. Now, the Trump Administration wants to weaken it.
Peter Edelman and I write in TIME about what 30 years of welfare reform should have taught us—and why we need an anti-poverty agenda built around cash and care.
time.com/article/2026...
Peter Edelman and I write in TIME about what 30 years of welfare reform should have taught us—and why we need an anti-poverty agenda built around cash and care.
time.com/article/2026...
Trump’s Head Start Overhaul Borrows a Playbook That Already Failed
“Targeting Head Start is the Trump Administration’s latest shot across the bow at America’s social safety net,” argue Peter Edelman and Lelaine Bigelow.
time.com
September 1, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Head Start works because it gives kids more than an education. Now, the Trump Administration wants to weaken it.
Peter Edelman and I write in TIME about what 30 years of welfare reform should have taught us—and why we need an anti-poverty agenda built around cash and care.
time.com/article/2026...
Peter Edelman and I write in TIME about what 30 years of welfare reform should have taught us—and why we need an anti-poverty agenda built around cash and care.
time.com/article/2026...
New York continues to raise wages and expand access to #PaidLeave and #PaidSickDays for thousands of public workers. www.rochesterfirst.com/news/new-yor...
NYS workers won a 19.3% raise and AI protections in new 5-year PEF contract
New York State and the Public Employees Federation finalized a five-year labor contract on Tuesday that provides approximately 60,000 government workers with nearly 20% in cumulative wage increases…
www.rochesterfirst.com
August 28, 2026 at 2:08 PM
New York continues to raise wages and expand access to #PaidLeave and #PaidSickDays for thousands of public workers. www.rochesterfirst.com/news/new-yor...
Research shows that for employers offering paid parental leave, the savings from lower turnover often cover the cost of the benefit. anderson-review.ucla.edu/providing-pa...
Providing Paid Parental Leave Typically Costs Employers Less Than Replacing Workers Who Quit - UCLA Anderson Review
Custom database tracks movement of 5.3 million workers, reveals unappreciated economics of little-offered benefit
anderson-review.ucla.edu
August 25, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Research shows that for employers offering paid parental leave, the savings from lower turnover often cover the cost of the benefit. anderson-review.ucla.edu/providing-pa...
DYK: Head Start has served more than 40 million children over the past 60 years? Now RFK Jr. is proposing harmful deregulation efforts, putting this vital program at risk!
Tell Congress to call on HHS to #ProtectHeadStart by rescinding RFK's rule changes! actionnetwork.org/call_campaig...
Tell Congress to call on HHS to #ProtectHeadStart by rescinding RFK's rule changes! actionnetwork.org/call_campaig...
Tell Congress to Stop RFK’s Attack on Head Start!
U.S. Department Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr. is attacking Head Start, proposing to eliminate most of the program's standards and rolling back regulatory rules. If enacte...
actionnetwork.org
August 18, 2026 at 6:59 PM
DYK: Head Start has served more than 40 million children over the past 60 years? Now RFK Jr. is proposing harmful deregulation efforts, putting this vital program at risk!
Tell Congress to call on HHS to #ProtectHeadStart by rescinding RFK's rule changes! actionnetwork.org/call_campaig...
Tell Congress to call on HHS to #ProtectHeadStart by rescinding RFK's rule changes! actionnetwork.org/call_campaig...
Colorado and Minnesota lead the way in guaranteeing access to #PaidLeave and #PaidSickDays for workers, according to The Century Foundation’s new state ranking of access to care. tcf.org/content/repo...
Care Matters: A 2026 State Report Card on Care Affordability and Access
Download the Care Matters: A 2026 State Report Card on Care Affordability and Access PDF Care and caregiving are foundational to how society
tcf.org
August 12, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Colorado and Minnesota lead the way in guaranteeing access to #PaidLeave and #PaidSickDays for workers, according to The Century Foundation’s new state ranking of access to care. tcf.org/content/repo...
No one should have to choose between caring for their health or their family and keeping their job. The new @CLASP_DC report shares Southern workers’ experiences and shows how the lack of #PaidLeave costs workers physically, mentally, and financially. www.clasp.org/publications...
Inaccessible and Costly: Southern Workers’ Experiences with Paid Leave | CLASP
Lack of padi leave deepens poverty and inequity, especially for women of color. CLASP calls for worker-centered paid leave policies with job protection.
www.clasp.org
August 10, 2026 at 7:25 PM
No one should have to choose between caring for their health or their family and keeping their job. The new @CLASP_DC report shares Southern workers’ experiences and shows how the lack of #PaidLeave costs workers physically, mentally, and financially. www.clasp.org/publications...
States can support NICU parents in their communities by passing laws that let them take leave from work to be present with their babies. A new @abetterbalance.org guide outlines best practices for state NICU leave laws: www.abetterbalance.org/resources/be...
Best Practices for State NICU Leave Policies - A Better Balance
In the United States, nearly 10% of babies are admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for specialized care. A NICU stay is often an unplanned and
www.abetterbalance.org
July 21, 2026 at 2:40 PM
States can support NICU parents in their communities by passing laws that let them take leave from work to be present with their babies. A new @abetterbalance.org guide outlines best practices for state NICU leave laws: www.abetterbalance.org/resources/be...
Bills don’t stop when health or caregiving needs arise. Under the #FAMILYAct a typical worker would receive $9,709 for 12 weeks of leave – enough to cover basic expenses. nationalpartnership.org/families-can...
Families Can't Afford to Go Without Paid Leave | National Partnership for Women & Families
We all need time to care, but the rising costs of essentials mean that taking time away from work is out of reach for too many workers. For millions of Americans, paid family leave means being able to...
nationalpartnership.org
May 20, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Bills don’t stop when health or caregiving needs arise. Under the #FAMILYAct a typical worker would receive $9,709 for 12 weeks of leave – enough to cover basic expenses. nationalpartnership.org/families-can...
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
The United States *can* take care of day care—and paid leave, and care for the aging and disabled, and health care, and more, because other countries already do. We find the means and the resources for the things we choose to invest in.
April 2, 2026 at 1:02 PM
The United States *can* take care of day care—and paid leave, and care for the aging and disabled, and health care, and more, because other countries already do. We find the means and the resources for the things we choose to invest in.
The U.S. still doesn't have a national #PaidLeave guarantee. But one in three workers is covered by a state paid leave program. This is a generational shift in policy – and it's still gaining momentum. 19thnews.org/2026/03/paid...
A record share of U.S. workers now have access to paid leave
There’s still no federal paid leave policy in the United States, but 14 laws now extend coverage to an estimated 46 million people.
19thnews.org
March 6, 2026 at 3:17 PM
The U.S. still doesn't have a national #PaidLeave guarantee. But one in three workers is covered by a state paid leave program. This is a generational shift in policy – and it's still gaining momentum. 19thnews.org/2026/03/paid...
"With more women in the workforce, an aging population and employees working into their later years, the ability of families to obtain income replacement through CT Paid Leave can help them to balance work and caregiving obligations," says Erin Choquette #PaidLeave www.fox61.com/article/news...
Paid leave benefits available to a variety of Connecticut caregivers
Income replacement is available for those providing different types of care or reassurance for a family member who is experiencing a serious health condition.
www.fox61.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
"With more women in the workforce, an aging population and employees working into their later years, the ability of families to obtain income replacement through CT Paid Leave can help them to balance work and caregiving obligations," says Erin Choquette #PaidLeave www.fox61.com/article/news...
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
Excited to share our interactive map that gives a state‐by‐state breakdown of projected increases in SNAP costs due to changes in the megabill. Our tool makes complex projections accessible and actionable for policymakers, researchers, and advocates.
September 29, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Excited to share our interactive map that gives a state‐by‐state breakdown of projected increases in SNAP costs due to changes in the megabill. Our tool makes complex projections accessible and actionable for policymakers, researchers, and advocates.
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
Our latest analysis breaks down what’s at stake—and why extending these credits is critical to protecting affordable care for millions of families.
www.georgetownpoverty.org/issues/whats...
#ACA #Medicaid #HealthInsurance #PremiumTaxCredit #Subsidies #HealthPolicy
www.georgetownpoverty.org/issues/whats...
#ACA #Medicaid #HealthInsurance #PremiumTaxCredit #Subsidies #HealthPolicy
September 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Our latest analysis breaks down what’s at stake—and why extending these credits is critical to protecting affordable care for millions of families.
www.georgetownpoverty.org/issues/whats...
#ACA #Medicaid #HealthInsurance #PremiumTaxCredit #Subsidies #HealthPolicy
www.georgetownpoverty.org/issues/whats...
#ACA #Medicaid #HealthInsurance #PremiumTaxCredit #Subsidies #HealthPolicy
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
The impact would be devastating for families, especially those earning just above the Medicaid threshold (~$16K–$23K/year). Many would see premium hikes so steep that coverage would simply be out of reach.
September 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The impact would be devastating for families, especially those earning just above the Medicaid threshold (~$16K–$23K/year). Many would see premium hikes so steep that coverage would simply be out of reach.
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
📣30 million people could lose health insurance in the next decade if enhanced ACA premium tax credits are allowed to expire.
September 3, 2025 at 12:50 PM
📣30 million people could lose health insurance in the next decade if enhanced ACA premium tax credits are allowed to expire.
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
The American Dream has a gender gap.
Recent Morning Consult polling analyzed by TCF’s Gayle Goldin and Julie Kashen shows striking differences in how women and men are experiencing America’s affordability crisis.
Learn more: go.tcf.org/gendergap @gaylegoldin.bsky.social @kashenj.bsky.social
Recent Morning Consult polling analyzed by TCF’s Gayle Goldin and Julie Kashen shows striking differences in how women and men are experiencing America’s affordability crisis.
Learn more: go.tcf.org/gendergap @gaylegoldin.bsky.social @kashenj.bsky.social
August 26, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The American Dream has a gender gap.
Recent Morning Consult polling analyzed by TCF’s Gayle Goldin and Julie Kashen shows striking differences in how women and men are experiencing America’s affordability crisis.
Learn more: go.tcf.org/gendergap @gaylegoldin.bsky.social @kashenj.bsky.social
Recent Morning Consult polling analyzed by TCF’s Gayle Goldin and Julie Kashen shows striking differences in how women and men are experiencing America’s affordability crisis.
Learn more: go.tcf.org/gendergap @gaylegoldin.bsky.social @kashenj.bsky.social
The U.S. economy is losing a vital segment of its workforce as hundreds of thousands of women leave the labor force. A key reason? The widespread lack of #PaidLeave. @newsweek.com www.newsweek.com/hundreds-tho...
Hundreds of thousands of women are leaving the labor force—Report
Around 103,000 women aged 20 and over exited the labor force in June, while 163,000 men in the same age group entered.
www.newsweek.com
July 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
The U.S. economy is losing a vital segment of its workforce as hundreds of thousands of women leave the labor force. A key reason? The widespread lack of #PaidLeave. @newsweek.com www.newsweek.com/hundreds-tho...
📣Nearly 73 million workers live in states that block local communities from making progress on paid sick days. New data from @npwf.bsky.social and @abetterbalance.org shows who bears the brunt of these unfair practices: nationalpartnership.org/psd-progress-blocked
Nearly 73 Million Workers Live in States That Block Local Communities from Making Progress on Paid Sick Days | National Partnership for Women & Families
Lawmakers in 18 states across the country – the majority of which are in the South – fail to guarantee that workers can earn paid sick days, and at the same time block local governments from setting t...
nationalpartnership.org
July 10, 2025 at 3:28 PM
📣Nearly 73 million workers live in states that block local communities from making progress on paid sick days. New data from @npwf.bsky.social and @abetterbalance.org shows who bears the brunt of these unfair practices: nationalpartnership.org/psd-progress-blocked
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
The #OBBA would hit hardest families without college degrees and people living in rural areas who rely on SNAP and Medicaid.
Check out @danilotrisi.bsky.social's analysis below! ⬇️
Check out @danilotrisi.bsky.social's analysis below! ⬇️
The big winners of the #BigUglyBill will be the small percentage of people who make over $500,000 per year, while millions will lose health care & food assistance. It's striking that this is particularly true even for some groups that disproportionately voted for Trump:
July 3, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The #OBBA would hit hardest families without college degrees and people living in rural areas who rely on SNAP and Medicaid.
Check out @danilotrisi.bsky.social's analysis below! ⬇️
Check out @danilotrisi.bsky.social's analysis below! ⬇️
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
The numbers don’t lie. The Senate just passed a bill that takes health care & food away from the many to pay for tax cuts for the few.
These unfair trade-offs in the Senate bill are just as bad as they were in the House bill. (And it makes our debt soar!!)
www.georgetownpoverty.org/issues/food-...
These unfair trade-offs in the Senate bill are just as bad as they were in the House bill. (And it makes our debt soar!!)
www.georgetownpoverty.org/issues/food-...
July 1, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The numbers don’t lie. The Senate just passed a bill that takes health care & food away from the many to pay for tax cuts for the few.
These unfair trade-offs in the Senate bill are just as bad as they were in the House bill. (And it makes our debt soar!!)
www.georgetownpoverty.org/issues/food-...
These unfair trade-offs in the Senate bill are just as bad as they were in the House bill. (And it makes our debt soar!!)
www.georgetownpoverty.org/issues/food-...
📣Americans’ unpaid caregiving is worth more than $1.1 trillion annually – and women are doing almost two-thirds of the work. #CareCantWait nationalpartnership.org/if-americans...
If Americans Were Paid For Their Caregiving, They Would Make More Than $1.1 Trillion | National Partnership for Women & Families
Caring for our loved ones and neighbors is critical, important work that our families and communities depend on and the economic impact of this work is enormous. Americans' unpaid care is valued at mo...
nationalpartnership.org
June 27, 2025 at 12:06 PM
📣Americans’ unpaid caregiving is worth more than $1.1 trillion annually – and women are doing almost two-thirds of the work. #CareCantWait nationalpartnership.org/if-americans...
Behind every paycheck is a woman balancing everything. We see you. We are you. Join us at the75million.org #The75Million
The 75 Million Campaign: Add Your Name
Attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion are attacks on all working women. Working women make up half the workforce — we are 75 Million strong. We are breadwinners, innovators, caregivers, and lead...
the75million.org
June 18, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Behind every paycheck is a woman balancing everything. We see you. We are you. Join us at the75million.org #The75Million
Reposted by Lelaine Bigelow
The first-of-its-kind policy was supported by two state senators — Democrats Jeff Bridges and Yara Zokaie — whose children spent time in the NICU when they were born. www.instagram.com/p/DKuepeGOYYX/
June 10, 2025 at 4:03 PM
The first-of-its-kind policy was supported by two state senators — Democrats Jeff Bridges and Yara Zokaie — whose children spent time in the NICU when they were born. www.instagram.com/p/DKuepeGOYYX/