Focus on Caregiving Series Wrap Up
As Spring begins, we close out our Fall/Winter Focus on Caregiving series. Throughout the last six months, we have covered a range of topics related to the issues facing those who act as caregivers – both family members and professional care providers. These critical care providers help those in need participate fully in the community. As the federal government and states increasingly understand the important role they play, they have sought to provide additional support to them, as outlined in our series. See below for more information about and to access our posts from this series.
Examining the Role of Caregivers: Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers
The Focus on Caregiving series began in October by providing a brief overview of the federal Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting Caregivers (the Executive Order), which was signed on April 18, 2023. The Executive Order aimed at bolstering support for caregivers and expanding access to quality care across the states, and provides innovative avenues for states to expand programs that aid caregivers providing child-care and or long-term care for the elderly or disabled. Read more about the top takeaways from the Executive Order, click here.
Focus on Caregiving: Innovative Approaches to Respite Care
In the second article in the Fall Focus on Caregiving Series, Health Policy News examined innovative approaches to increase access to and utilization of respite care services across the country. To read about programmatic approaches to respite care, such as increasing utilization and flexibility in the spending of respite care funds, click here
Building the Caregiving Workforce by Supporting Family Caregivers
The third article in the series focused on the role of family members as part of the “caregiving workforce.” As states rely on family members for some or all the care a portion of Medicaid beneficiaries need, there are a number of considerations to ensure those family members are not overburdened and have the support they need. To read more about these growing supports for family caregivers, click here.
Congress and States Advance Efforts to Provide Financial Support to Caregivers
The Credit for Caring Act is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that aims to support family caregivers who play an essential role in caring for loved ones with chronic illnesses or disabilities. This bill recognizes the vital contributions of caregivers by providing a tax credit to alleviate some of the financial burdens they often face. To read about this bill’s goals and background, and current efforts within states aligning with the Credit for Caring Act, click here.
