Dive Brief:
- Senate members unanimously passed a bill last week that would require HHS to create a caregiver support advisory council, and coordinate with the council to develop a document on national family caregiving strategy.
-
The document is intended to address issues for family caregivers, including financial security, remaining in the workforce, care coordination, and caregiver respite.
- The House has been considering a companion bill, H.R. 3099, since November.
Dive Insight:
The bill is slightly vague on what variety of stakeholders would be included on the council. Its description specifies caregivers, those requiring long-term care including older and disabled people, healthcare providers, government officials, veterans and employers.
However, notes LifeHealthPro, while the description names representatives of "relevant industries," it doesn't actually specify health insurers or other financial services companies.
The bills are intended to fulfill the recommendations of the federal Commission on Long-Term Care, which has asked Congress to develop a family caregiver support strategy. It has the support of the AARP and the Alzheimer's Association.