Senator Tammy Baldwin's office issued the following:
2.25.20
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Senate unanimously
passed bipartisan legislation Monday night authored by Senators Tammy
Baldwin (D-WI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) to support the health and
wellbeing of family caregivers. The Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019 now awaits consideration by the U.S. House of Representatives.
This bipartisan bill would authorize $10 million
annually for the Lifespan Respite Care program from fiscal year 2020
through fiscal year 2024.
“Every day, family caregivers in Wisconsin and across our country tend to the needs of their loved ones,” said Senator Baldwin.
“Although this work can be very rewarding, it can also be emotionally
and physically challenging. I’m proud to see my bipartisan legislation
with Senator Collins win approval from the full Senate. Together, we’re
going to help ensure continued funding for the Lifespan Respite Care
Program so that our family caregivers can access the support and relief
they need.”
“In my conversations with family caregivers, I
have found what they need most is respite care, a break from the 24/7
job of caregiving. Caregivers provide an estimated $470 billion in
uncompensated care each year. Yet, an astounding 85 percent of
caregivers have not received any respite services at all,” said Senator Collins. “Respite
care is essential to caregivers as it helps to reduce mental stress and
physical health issues they may experience. With Senate passage of our
bill, we are one step closer to giving family caregivers and their loved
ones the support they need by ensuring that quality respite is
available and accessible.”
“Respite programs are essential and should be
expanded. Some caretakers are with their loved ones 24 hours a day.
This can be exhausting and lead to poor health for the caretakers and is
not helpful for the individual. This law helps families stay together
and avoid costly out of home placements,” said Scott Badesch, Executive Director and CEO of the Autism Society of America. “The Autism Society thanks Senators Collins and Baldwin for their leadership on this bipartisan bill to reauthorize this law.”
“The ARCH National Respite Coalition applauds
the Senate for passage of the Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act. We
are especially grateful to Senator Collins and Senator Baldwin for
championing respite for family caregivers and for ensuring swift Senate
action. Respite has been shown to help alleviate caregiving stress,
improve family well-being, and avoid or delay more costly out-of-home
placements. The Lifespan Respite Care Program has made respite more
available to thousands of family caregivers who would not have had
access otherwise. The program’s flexibility is allowing States to
develop innovative solutions to advance access to respite at a time when
the need is escalating rapidly. We pledge to work with Senators Collins
and Baldwin to make Lifespan Respite available in every state,” said Jill Kagan, Director of the ARCH National Respite Coalition.
A group of 100 national, state and local caregiver and respite organizations across the country have endorsed the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019,
including AARP, the National Respite Coalition, Autism Society of
America, the Arc, and the National Alliance for Caregiving. In
Wisconsin, the Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources, Inc.,
Inclusa, and the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin support the
legislation.
Respite care provides temporary
relief to caregivers from their ongoing responsibilities. By protecting
the health of caregivers, respite care decreases the need for
professional long-term care and allows individuals who require care to
remain at home. To date, 37 states have received funding through the
Lifespan Respite Care program. The program provides competitive grants
to states to establish or enhance statewide respite resources and help
ensure that quality respite is available and accessible to all family
caregivers.
There are 45 million family caregivers in the
United States that provide an estimated $470 billion in uncompensated
care each year.
