Team Michigan heads to Capitol Hill

Greg Gibson

Lead volunteer and staff from Michigan headed to Washington this week to advocate on behalf of AARP members and all older Americans on the crucial issues of Family Caregiving and Social Security.

AARP Michigan State President Chris Holman, State Director Paula Cunningham and Advocacy Manager Lisa Dedden Cooper will make several congressional visits on Capitol Hill.

While meeting with members of Congress, Team Michigan will carry crucial asks:

• AARP Michigan 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 and will also enlist members of the House and Senate to join the bipartisan Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus.
• 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 Holman.  “We expect this ageless, nonpartisan issue to continue to grow in importance”.

In Michigan, 1.3 million family caregivers provide unpaid care valued at $15 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 has already passed in the Senate. AARP is urging the House to pass the legislation.

The bipartisan Credit for Caring Act would provide a federal tax credit for eligible working family caregivers caring for loved ones of all ages.

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.