Debra L. Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women and Families, delivered the 16th annual Miller Lecture on May 7.
Ness is an innovative and sought-after health policy strategist who has helped shape the programs that are making health care in this country more accessible and affordable while improving health outcomes and delivering better-quality, more patient- and family-centered care. Under Ness’ stewardship, the national partnership has transformed the nation’s work-places. Today, 40 jurisdictions have adopted laws that allow workers to earn paid sick days, hundreds of corporations and five states have put paid family and medical leave programs in place, and dozens of states have adopted strong laws that prohibit and punish pregnancy discrimination.
