Lawmakers are calling for new legislation that would require businesses to provide paid emergency sick-leave because of the swine flu pandemic. The Los Angeles Times reports: “Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), chairing a health subcommittee hearing Tuesday, said that requiring businesses with 15 or more employees to offer seven paid days off a year would end a dangerous choice ‘between staying healthy and making ends meet.’” Some conservative lawmakers argue, though, “that Democrats are using a public health crisis as momentum for faulty legislation that would harm businesses by inviting abuse by workers. … There currently is no requirement for businesses of any size to provide paid sick leave” (Markman, 11/11).