“ASA cheers last night’s passage in the U.S. Senate of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act, which aims to examine new strategies for supporting family caregivers throughout the country, where they make it possible for older adults and people with disabilities to live independently. The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version in mid-December and the bill next goes to the president’s desk before becoming law.
The RAISE Family Caregivers Act instructs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a strategy to support family caregivers by establishing an advisory body that brings together representatives from the private and public sectors to advise and make recommendations. The strategy will identify recommended actions for communities, providers, government and others to take and support family caregivers.
Family caregivers are the backbone of services in this country. The nation relies on their contributions and we should identify ways to offer them support.
The RAISE Act is a common-sense step to help support family caregivers nationwide and we urge President Donald Trump to sign the bill into law as soon as possible.”