WASHINGTON, DC – Last night, the Senate passed the House version of the RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include, Support, and Engage) Family Caregivers Act (H.R. 3759). It’s now on its way to the President for his signature. This legislation is a big deal for the 90 million family caregivers throughout the United States. CAN has been tirelessly advocating for passage of the RAISE Act for years because it will help make a difference in the lives of millions of family caregivers across the country.
“With the RAISE Act, the United States government recognizes the vital role family caregivers provide in the care of millions of Americans,” said John Schall, Chief Executive Office of Caregiver Action Network, the nation’s leading non-profit family caregiver organization. “Importantly, the RAISE Act requires the federal government to finally develop a plan for our nation’s future family caregiving needs.”
Passing the RAISE Family Caregivers Act is a great leap in the right direction, and CAN applauds Congress for passing this landmark piece of legislation. In December, CAN gave its Congressional Leader in Caregiving Award to Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Rep. Gregg Harper (R-MS) for their sponsorship of the RAISE Act and congratulates Senator Collins and Congressman Harper for their leadership in passage of this important legislation.
About CAN
Caregiver Action Network (www.CaregiverAction.org) is the nation’s leading family caregiver organization working to improve the quality of life for more than 90 million Americans who care for loved ones with chronic conditions, disabilities, disease, or the frailties of old age. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with special needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease. CAN reaches caregivers on multiple platforms. CAN (the National Family Caregivers Association) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge.