Thread by @CaringAcrossGen

Following today’s reintroduction of the Better Care Better Jobs Act from @SenBobCasey & @RepDebDingell, @aijenpoo shared the following statement:

“The Better Care Better Jobs Act represents a historic investment in a long undervalued and underfunded care industry… 1/8

…and will address waitlists and other barriers that disabled people, older adults and family caregivers face when trying to access the services they need in their homes and communities. 2/8

We cannot expand access to services without addressing the fact that the direct care workforce is in severe crisis with workers who aren’t paid fairly even though they do the vital work of caring for our loved ones. 3/8

In every state and every district across the U.S. there is overwhelming support for investing in home- and community-based services (HCBS). 4/8

In fact, this issue is so widespread that 89% of voters want the federal government to increase funding for HCBS to allow older adults and disabled people to live with independence and dignity. 5/8

Too often policies and programs are centered on our needs as workers, rather than our needs as families and caregivers. 6/8

This creates challenges that impact our quality of life – such as balancing work and childcare, needing time to care for a loved one, accessing support for long-term needs, and affording ways to age with dignity – and that families are left to navigate alone. 7/8

People shouldn’t have to choose between doing well and living well. If Congress doesn’t take this issue seriously, millions of us will continue to struggle to do what matters most: care for the people we love.” 8/8

#CareCantWait

caringacross.org/news/better-ca…