A report from the Institute for Women's Policy Research (IWPR) indicates employee access to paid sick days could save as much as $1 billion in annual healthcare costs, including $500 million of taxpayer money that supports public health programs.
According to the survey, more than 44 million Americans do not have paid sick leave among their employee benefits, and many who do cannot use it to care for sick children or family members. One report author and research analyst noted the rising cost of healthcare should make paid sick leave an attractive option for policymakers and business owners searching for solutions.
The researchers found paid sick days were associated with better self-reported health, fewer emergency room visits for adults and children alike and fewer delays in medical care, which can contribute to worsening health over time. They can also improve the use of preventive care, which in turn minimizes expenses over time.
"Americans are paying over $1 billion each year in preventable emergency department costs because hard-working people without paid sick days are unable to get the preventative and early treatment they and their children need," said report author and IWPR senior research associate Kevin Miller.
Most of these preventable costs, according to IWPR, are currently being paid out-of-pocket by individuals or being covered by programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, the State Children's Health Insurance Program and Veterans Affairs services.
