AARP Delaware Thanks Sen. Coons for Co-Sponsoring the ABC Act

AARP strongly supports and urges co-sponsorship and enactment of the bipartisan Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act (ABC Act, S. 3109), introduced by Senators Ed Markey (D-MA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), to help reduce red tape for family caregivers. Senator Chris Coons, (D-DE) is in full support of the ABC Act as a Co-Sponsor. AARP looks forward to working with him to enact it.

There are over 48 million family caregivers in the US. Here in Delaware, about 123,000 Delawareans identify as an unpaid family caregiver. They assist their older parents, spouses, siblings, grandparents, adult children, and other loved ones so they can live independently in their homes—where they want to be.

Delaware caregivers provide an estimated $1.6 billion in unpaid labor each year, saving taxpayers billions. Without them, America’s health and long-term care systems would collapse. They assist with everything including meals, bathing, dressing, medications and medical care, chores, finances, grocery shopping, transportation, and more. They advocate and coordinate care for their loved one among multiple health and long-term care providers, including arranging appointments, making health care decisions, helping with provider or plan selection, paying bills, and navigating Medicare and Medicaid.

Delawareans need the ABC Act, because over half (56 percent) of family caregivers act as an advocate with care providers, community services, or government agencies on behalf of their loved one. One in four want help figuring out forms, paperwork, and eligibility for services. Among those coordinating care, 31 percent find it difficult to do so. Caregivers say they are stressed emotionally (72%), overwhelmed by responsibilities (60%), and financially strained (55%). Time is also a top challenge for them.

The ABC Act would help reduce red tape by requiring the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) to review the eligibility determination and application processes, procedures, forms, and communications of Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the Social Security programs to reduce administrative challenges for caregivers. It requires the agencies to seek caregiver and other input.

The agencies must report to Congress within a year of enactment the issues identified and findings, actions they are taking, estimated timeframe for completion, any recommended changes in federal law to address identified issues, and more, as well as an updated report one year later. CMS would provide related guidance to states about reducing red tape in state Medicaid and CHIP programs. The bill could help make providing care easier for family caregivers, save them valuable time, and reduce their stress.

Again, AARP thanks Sen. Coons and all our elected officials who support unpaid family caregivers. Learn more about AARP resources for caregivers.