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Public commenters press council on paid parental leave, call for coverage for pregnancy loss and high‑risk births
Summary
Public commenters, including a hospital nurse and Rachel Nunes, urged Allegheny County Council to support paid parental leave policies that cover high‑risk pregnancies and bereavement after pregnancy loss.
Two public commenters urged Allegheny County Council to support policies expanding paid parental leave and to ensure those policies cover pregnancy loss and high‑risk births.
An Allegheny General Hospital nurse (self‑described as a Lawrenceville resident) described being 17 weeks pregnant and high risk after a prior premature birth. She said she recently returned from a six‑month medical leave, noted she likely will not qualify for FMLA or short‑term disability after the upcoming birth, and urged employers in Pittsburgh to provide paid parental leave so workers do not have to choose between caring for family and financial stability.
Rachel Nunes of the Hill District described delivering a daughter in January 2016 who died immediately after delivery. Nunes said existing collective‑bargaining language she had reviewed did not address grief or bereavement associated with pregnancy loss; she asked council to ensure paid‑leave discussions include the nuances of loss and promised to submit a longer written statement online.
Neither comment prompted immediate formal action at the meeting; both speakers urged the council and county leaders to include pregnancy loss and high‑risk scenarios when shaping leave policies.
