Kiggans Leads Re-Launch of Bipartisan, Bicameral Assisting Caregivers Today Caucus

Jun 23, 2023
Healthcare
Press

WASHINGTON, DC: Last week, Congresswomen Jen Kiggans (VA-02) and Debbie Dingell (MI-06) – along with Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) – re-launched the bipartisan, bicameral Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus. The caucuswill provide education about the challenges family caregivers face and advocate for policies that support them.

“In Southeast Virginia and throughout the country, family caregivers play a vital role in the lives of millions of Americans,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I had the privilege of caring for our greatest generation as they aged; I know firsthand how essential caregivers are when it comes to ensuring our older Americans can age gracefully and have fulfilling, independent lives. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to advocate for our care providers and their families!”

“More than half of Americans over 50 years old will serve as a family caregiver for a period of time, and family caregivers need our support,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “I’m proud to launch this caucus with my colleagues to help educate lawmakers about the depth of the caregiving crisis in America and work toward fixing it.”

“Many Americans dedicate countless hours of unpaid care to help an older parent, spouse, or other loved one — and they do this while balancing jobs, family responsibilities, and rising expenses,” said Senator Bennet. “We’re relaunching this bipartisan caucus to raise awareness about the challenges family caregivers face and policies needed to support them.”

“As someone who served as the primary caregiver for parents living with Alzheimer’s disease, I saw firsthand the stress and costs that come with family caregiving,” said Senator Capito. “With the relaunch of the Assisting Caregivers Today Caucus, we are bringing needed attention to the issues caregivers of all backgrounds face. I look forward to working alongside my Senate and House colleagues as we renew our push to find bipartisan ways to lessen the emotional and financial toll for these individuals and families.”

Nearly 20 million adults in the United States require assistance completing self-care and other daily tasks due to physical, cognitive, developmental, and/or behavioral conditions, and the majority of people who require care would prefer to receive it in their home or another community-based setting. Family, friends, and neighbors make up 53 million caregivers across the country. Family caregivers’ economic contribution is valued at $600 billion.

“AARP thanks Representatives Kiggans and Dingell and Senators Bennet and Capito for their leadership in re-launching the bipartisan, bicameral Assisting Caregivers Today (ACT) Caucus. Family caregivers are the backbone of a broken long-term care system, providing $600 billion in unpaid labor each year, saving taxpayers billions. AARP looks forward to working with the ACT Caucus to continue raising awareness of the value of family caregivers and the need to find commonsense solutions that will provide them with support to help their loved ones live independently in their homes,” said Nancy A. LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer.

###

Recent Posts


Sep 12, 2024
Press

Kiggans Supports Bipartisan Bill to Address Childcare Workforce Shortage

WASHINGTON, DC: Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced her cosponsorship of H.R. 7355, the Early Childhood Workforce Advancement Act. This bipartisan legislation aims to address the ongoing workforce shortage that has contributed to the skyrocketing cost of childcare services. Specifically, the bill would invest in career and technical education (CTE) programs and incentivize more students to enter the early childhood workforce upon graduation. […]



Sep 10, 2024
Press

Kiggans Visits Achievable Dream Academy, Presents $1.9M in Federal Funding to Support Students

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Last week, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) visited An Achievable Dream Academy at Seatack Elementary School to present $1,961,000 in federal dollars she secured for the program in the Fiscal Year 2024 government funding bills. This funding will ensure An Achievable Dream, a K-12 program that provides high-quality, cost-effective education services to high-risk youth and […]



Sep 5, 2024
Press

Kiggans Announces $2.4M Federal Grant to Support Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA: Today, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02) announced a $2,498,470 grant awarded to Nasoni, LLC by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The grant, which will be awarded over a two-year period in increments of $1,249,235, will go towards advancing Nasoni’s cutting edge research to support Azheimer’s and dementia patients. Specifically, […]