AARP Staff and Volunteers from Massachusetts Head to D.C. to Advocate on Family Caregiving, Social Security

This week, AARP Massachusetts State Director Mike Festa and Executive Council member and volunteer Bob Haynes are in Washington, D.C. for Lobby Day 2016, to advocate on behalf of Massachusetts AARP members and all older Americans on the crucial issues of family caregiving and Social Security.

While meeting with the Massachusetts Congressional delegation, Festa and Haynes will carry crucial asks: First, AARP MA advocates will ask members of Congress to support two pieces of bipartisan legislation to help family caregivers: the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act, and the Credit for Caring Act. Second, they will enlist members of the House and Senate to join the bipartisan Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus. Finally, on the important issue of Social Security, AARP will continue to promote a dialogue about what we can do together to bring about legislative action keep it strong for future generations.

 

Family Caregiving

“Most of us have been or will be a family caregiver, or will need help to live independently. And, since family caregivers make up the backbone of services for most people, we need more private and public sector solutions that help support those who give care and the people they care for,” said Festa. “We expect this ageless, nonpartisan issue to continue to grow in importance.”

In Massachusetts, more than 840,000 family caregivers provide unpaid care valued at $11.6 billion annually. In recent years, about 40 million family caregivers in the nation have provided unpaid care valued at $470 billion annually, more than total Medicaid spending. Family caregivers also help delay or prevent more costly institutional care and unnecessary hospitalizations, saving taxpayer dollars.  They help with daily activities including bathing, dressing, meal preparation, managing medications, and transportation.

There are several efforts on Capitol Hill to help give family caregivers the support they need.

The bipartisan RAISE Family Caregivers Act would require the development of a national strategy to support family caregivers. The bill, introduced by Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), has already passed in the Senate. We appreciate Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) supporting the bill. The House bill, introduced by Representatives Gregg Harper (R-MS) and Kathy Castor (D-FL), has more than 60 cosponsors, including Representative Katherine Clark (D-MA). AARP is urging the House to pass the legislation.  BREAKING NEWS:  Representative Mike Capuano (D-MA) has agreed to cosponsor the RAISE Act after a Lobby Day morning meeting with Festa and Haynes!

The bipartisan Credit for Caring Act would provide a federal tax credit for eligible working family caregivers caring for loved ones of all ages. The legislation was introduced by U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in the Senate, and Representatives Tom Reed (R-NY) and Linda Sánchez (D-CA) in the House.

Additionally, the congressional ACT Caucus serves as a forum to engage members of the House and Senate on family caregiving and living independently, exchange ideas, and build bipartisan relationships that can lead to solutions. Co-chaired by U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Representatives Diane Black (R-TN) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM), it has more than 40 bipartisan members in the House and Senate, including Representatives Bill Keating (D-MA) and Jim McGovern (D-MA).  While in D.C., AARP’s Festa and Haynes seek to expand this important group.

 

Social Security

In Massachusetts, AARP has been a long-time champion of Social Security. We have always stood for Social Security because it is so important to our members, older Americans, their families and future generations. Our proactive work to ensure Social Security’s Trust Fund solvency and adequate benefits continues on this day of issue advocacy.

We want to promote a dialogue about what we can do together to bring about legislative action in the near future to ensure Social Security if financially sound and provides adequate benefits for future generations. To help spur that dialogue going forward, we have shared our principles for Social Security adequacy and solvency with members of Congress.

And, separate from advocating in Congress, as the election unfolds AARP Massachusetts volunteers will seek to engage all candidates running for federal office, including those running for President and Congress on the issue of ensuring Social Security solvency and adequacy for current and future generations.

“Social Security remains a key issue for AARP members and older Americans,” said Festa. “Anyone running for office this year owes it to voters to tell them if they plan to work toward solving the issues that impact Social Security’s future.”