OLYMPIA – In her testimony before the U.S. House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday, Employment Security Commissioner Suzan “Suzi” LeVine shared the benefits of paid family and medical leave for both workers and employers, and why Washington’s new program is increasingly looked at as a model for other states.

“From Washington state to Washington D.C. and everywhere in between, paid leave is an issue that brings even the most diverse group of lawmakers and advocates together, and has the support of families, workers and business owners alike,” LeVine said. “This is because the need for Paid Family and Medical Leave is fundamentally a human one – we all have to give or receive care at some point in our lives.”

The hearing, Paid Family and Medical Leave: Helping workers and employers succeed, was widely anticipated by advocates for paid leave, particularly in light of the momentum the issue has at the state – and now national – level. Washington is the fifth state in the U.S. to establish a paid leave program. Massachusetts and Washington D.C. have passed similar laws, with many other states actively working on legislation to follow suit. LeVine was the only state government official to participate on the panel.

Members of the committee asked LeVine and the other panelists a variety of questions related to Paid Family and Medical Leave, with particular attention to why businesses and workers are supportive of the issue. Recent polling has found between 73 and 84 percent of Americans support paid family and medical leave. Panelists shared data points about the program’s benefits, including better health outcomes for new parents and babies, and as a critical tool for attracting and retaining workers, saving business money in lower staff turnover.

In her testimony, LeVine cited several key features of Washington’s law that are designed to strike a balance for employers and workers. Benefits for workers include one of the highest rates of wage replacement of any similar program – up to 90 percent of the workers’ usual pay – as well as portability, ensuring they don’t lose the benefit even if they switch jobs. Benefits for employers under Washington’s program include an exemption from premiums for small businesses and grants for businesses with fewer than 150 employees to offset costs associated with employees being out on leave.

As the first state in the U.S. to create a comprehensive Paid Family and Medical Leave program from the ground up – the other four states added paid family leave to their existing temporary disability insurance programs – Washington is increasingly looked to by states developing their own paid family and medical leave programs.

“States are leading on the issue of paid family and medical leave, but it is not enough,” LeVine said in her testimony. “A federal program that balances the needs of employers and employees, similar to Washington state’s, would mean that where someone lives wouldn’t determine if they have to choose between a paycheck and caring for themselves or a loved one.”

You can watch the full committee hearing here.