Economic Benefits Of Paid Family Leave (Dr. Nirvana Manning Commentary)

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Arkansas has made meaningful progress to improve health outcomes for women, infants and families.

Through 2025 legislation like Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, we have strengthened access to prenatal and postpartum care and begun addressing the drivers of maternal mortality. But there is another fundamental family health issue that calls for deeper investment and action: paid leave.

The weeks following childbirth are among the most vulnerable in a woman’s life. In addition to the challenges of caring for a newborn, this is a time when postpartum complications, mental health challenges and chronic conditions frequently emerge. Yet too many parents are forced back to work before they are medically, physically or emotionally ready — because they cannot afford not to.

According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, the U.S. remains the only high-income country without a federal paid family leave policy. While some states have broad, universal programs, Arkansas has taken a more measured approach, recognizing that employers vary in size and structure, and flexibility matters.

That approach showed progress last year, when, thanks to the leadership of state Rep. Andrew Collins, Sen. Breanne Davis and others, Arkansas passed legislation providing paid leave for public and charter school teachers. This policy supports families during critical moments, strengthening workforce stability and health outcomes for moms and babies. It also shows that paid leave can be tailored to specific sectors without a one-size-fits-all mandate.

Health research consistently shows that when parents have time to recover and bond after birth, outcomes improve. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other national organizations link paid leave to lower infant mortality, improved maternal mental health, higher breastfeeding rates and stronger parent-child attachment. These benefits translate into fewer emergency room visits, lower health care costs and healthier families.

There is also a clear economic case. According to the National Institutes of Health, paid leave supports workforce retention, reduces turnover and helps parents feel connection to their jobs. When families can stay in the workforce, Arkansas taxpayers benefit through reduced reliance on safety-net programs and a more stable labor pool. A strong economy doesn’t ask families to sacrifice their health to remain in the workforce. Rather, it supports them so they can contribute.

At the Arkansas Center for Women & Infants’ Health, our work focuses on the postpartum period, when medical risk is highest and support is often the most scarce. We see firsthand how difficult it is for families to balance recovery, income and caregiving during this time. Easing that burden is compassionate policy and smart public health. It’s a win-win for families and the state.

Looking ahead, Arkansas has an opportunity to build on its momentum by expanding paid leave options for health care workers, including nurses. These professionals care for others during life’s most critical moments, yet often lack the needed time to care for themselves and their own families. Supporting them is both a moral obligation and a workforce necessity.

Parents shouldn’t have to choose between providing for their children and caring for them. Strong families mean a strong Arkansas. Treating paid leave as a health imperative, rather than a perk, is one of the most practical, evidence-based ways we can continue improving outcomes for families and strengthening our economy.

Dr. Nirvana Manning is chair and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and director of the Arkansas Center for Women & Infants’ Health at UAMS.