U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Ed Markey, Shelley Moore Capito Introduce Legislation to Alleviate Administrative Burdens for Family Caregivers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) joined Senators Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) in the Senate in introducing the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act. Thislegislation would require the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to review their eligibility, processes, procedures, forms, and communications to reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers.
“Alabama’s family caregivers are the best among us, dedicating their time and efforts to care for their loved ones. This legislation provides critical support to help relieve these administrative burdens and ensure the care they provide isn’t impeded by red tape,” said Senator Britt.“I’m grateful for this bipartisan, bicameral effort to stand with our selfless caregivers and honor their invaluable contributions to our communities and families.”
The ABC Act would also require CMS, SSA, and CHIP to report to Congress after two years about any issues they are facing and any next steps they are taking to support family caregivers. Representatives Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.), and Kat Cammack (R-Fla.) introduced the ABC Act in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Family caregivers serve as a primary source of support for seniors and people with disabilities of all ages. In the United States, there are more than 48 million family caregivers. In Alabama alone, there are an estimated 700,000 family caregivers, or about 13.9% of the state’s population.
“Caregivers, like my father was, serve on the frontlines of our nation’s health care system by giving our families and friends the care and support they need to remain in their homes and communities with their loved ones,” said Senator Markey. “But caregivers are struggling needlessly to navigate complex, burdensome, and stressful processes each and every day while also still managing day-to-day family and professional responsibilities. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act will help lift the weight off caregivers by clearing the red tape that so often gets in their way. I thank Senator Capito and Representatives Magaziner and Cammack for their partnership on this critical legislation.”
More than half of family caregivers act as an advocate for their loved one with care providers, community services, or government agencies. However, one in four family caregivers say they want help with forms, paperwork, and eligibility for services. Many report competing responsibilities while experiencing serious emotional, physical, and financial challenges.
“More than 1 in 4 Americans over 50 are now caregivers. I was one of these caregivers for my parents during their struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and know personally how hard it can be to balance all of the responsibilities put on individuals caring for their loved ones,” Senator Capito said.“One of the most common frustrations I hear from caregivers in West Virginia is how difficult it is to navigate federal processes and procedures. The Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers Act would attempt to ease this often-stressful time by requiring federal agencies, such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and Social Security Administration, to review their processes, procedures, forms, and communications to reduce the administrative burden on family caregivers.”
Senator Britt was also a cosponsor of this legislation in the 118th Congress. The full text of the bill can be found here.
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