House Passes Collins-Authored Bill to Support Family Caregivers

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) today applauded House passage of the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act.  This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Senators Collins and Baldwin in May 2017, would establish a coordinated strategy to support family caregivers.

The RAISE Family Caregivers Act would direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop and sustain a strategy to recognize and support the more than 40 million family caregivers in the United States. This bipartisan legislation has been endorsed by more than 60 aging and disability organizations, including the AARP, the Alzheimer’s Association, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Arc.

“Family caregivers play an essential role in our communities by dedicating time and attention and making countless personal and financial sacrifices to care for their loved ones,” said Senator Collins. “I am delighted that the House has now passed our bipartisan legislation, which will develop a coordinated strategic plan to leverage our resources, promote best practices, and expand services and training available to caregivers.  I look forward to our bill becoming law.”

“Every day, family caregivers do right by their loved ones and we need to do right by them by formally recognizing and supporting family caregivers,” said Senator Baldwin. “This bipartisan effort is especially personal to me as I was raised by my maternal grandparents and later served as my grandmother’s primary caretaker as she grew older. I know the challenges that family caregivers face. I’ve listened to family caregivers across Wisconsin and worked to help make a difference in their lives. Our legislation will provide much-needed support for family caregivers, ensuring that our older adults and loved ones with disabilities receive the highest quality care in their own homes. I look forward to seeing our bipartisan legislation signed into law.”

The RAISE Family Caregivers Act was supported by a broad bipartisan coalition of cosponsors including Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Al Franken (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). Senators Collins and Baldwin first introduced the RAISE Family Caregivers Act in July 2015, and the legislation first passed the Senate unanimously in December 2015.