DeLauro Recognizes National Family Caregivers Month

NEW HAVEN, CT — (November 26, 2019) Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) today released the following statement recognizing National Family Caregivers Month.

"Family caregivers play a fundamental role throughout our country each and every day," said DeLauro. "More than 40 million caregivers in America help ensure their parents, spouses, or loved ones are able to get the support and companionship they need. And that role is getting more important every day as our population continues to age. Those demographic trends have caused a caregiving crisis that we must solve. Yet, under our current healthcare system, most family caregiving is unpaid—or worse, it comes at the expense of missing work and losing one's income. No one should have to make the choice between caring for a family member or paying their bills."

"We must do better for working people. That is why my bill, the Medicare for America Act, recognizes the valuable work family caregivers do," continued DeLauro. "Medicare for America would finally ensure family caregivers are paid for their work. That is a transformational reform for people who are struggling to make ends meet while taking care of their loved ones. While many reformers have shied away from addressing long-term services and supports, we tackled it head on because it is the right thing to do and we cannot wait any longer. During National Family Caregivers Month—and every month—I am committed to ensuring family caregivers are treated fairly and compensated for the vital work they do."

DeLauro serves as Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that funds the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.