The National Alliance for Caregiving Supports Increased Investment in Family Caregiver Services Proposed in 2020 Funding Bill

WASHINGTON, May 8, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) supports the proposed funding of $200 million for Family Caregiver Services that is included in the fiscal year 2020 House Appropriations Committee funding bill for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (LHHS). This funding level represents a substantial ($18,814,000) increase from the 2019 enacted level.

"It is encouraging to see a proposed increase in funding for unpaid family caregiver services. With nearly 44 million Americans providing care ? and with 60% of those with long-term health conditions, we see caregivers under strain and the need for services expanding," said C. Grace Whiting, J.D., CEO of NAC. As a group, caregivers provide $500 billion in economic value. "As a country, we need to recognize and support the sacrifices and emotional and financial burdens placed on those who step up and into the role of caregiver ? and this funding level will begin to do that."

The LHHS Subcommittee previously considered the funding bill on April 29. Earlier that month, Whiting provided testimony to the Subcommittee, calling for increased funding for the National Family Caregiver Program, which is administered by the Administration for Community Living and the Administration on Aging; additional funding for other Older Americans Act (OAA) programs that provide services to older adults and their caregivers; and funding for the work of the "Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage Family Caregivers Act of 2017'' (RAISE Family Caregivers Act). "We commend the Subcommittee, particularly, Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and look forward to working with both the House and Senate to secure funding for caregiver supports," added Whiting.

The full House Committee on Appropriations considered the bill on Wednesday. The funding bill supports some of the nation's most critical programs that impact individuals and families across the lifespan, including the Native American Caregiver Support Services ($12,056,00, up $2 million), an increase of $1,390,000 for Respite Care to help reduce the burden on caregivers, a $4,000,000 increase for the Alzheimer's disease program to issue grants for caregiver respite care demonstrations, and funds for the Undiagnosed Disease Network that supports both patients and their caregivers.

Established in 1996, the National Alliance for Caregiving is a non-profit coalition of national organizations focusing on advancing family caregiving through research, innovation, and advocacy. The Alliance conducts research, does policy analysis, develops national best-practice programs, and works to increase public awareness of family caregiving issues. Recognizing that family caregivers provide important societal and financial contributions toward maintaining the well-being of those they care for; the Alliance supports a network of more than 80 state and local caregiving coalitions and serves as Secretariat for the International Alliance of Carer Organizations (IACO). Learn more at https://www.caregiving.org/.

SOURCE National Alliance for Caregiving