AARP supports the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act

AARP strongly supports new bipartisan legislation, the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act, which would make it easier for family caregivers to navigate key financial and health care programs.

There are more than 48 million family caregivers in the U.S. According to AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving’s recent report. Caregivers can an do provide support ranging from coordinating multiple health and long-term care providers; advocating with providers, community services, and government agencies; and managing medications, complex medical tasks, meals, finances, and much more.

Most caregivers say additional information and support for managing these needs is essential:

• One in four family caregivers (25%) report they want help figuring out forms, paperwork, and eligibility for services;
• 26% say it is difficult to coordinate care across various providers and services; and
• While most (61%) work full- or part-time, and some also care for children, family caregivers spend almost 24 hours a week caring for a loved one on average.

The bill would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the S.S.A. to take actions to simplify and streamline policies and procedures that improve customer service for family caregivers as well as individuals covered by or filing for Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, and Social Security.

The agencies must conduct a review and seek input from family caregivers prior to taking actions that would improve their experiences coordinating care for their loved ones.

Family caregivers across the U.S. provide 36 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at an estimated $600 billion annually. AARP research shows a majority of voters, 78%, are either a current, past, or future family caregiver.

Over 70% of voters across the political spectrum say they would be more likely to support a candidate who backed proposals to support family caregivers, such as a tax credit, paid family leave, and more support and respite services.