[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 56 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E745-E746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 NATIONAL FAMILY CAREGIVER SUPPORT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 1999

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues to 
sponsor H.R. 1341, ``The National Family Caregiver Support Act of 
1999.'' Last month, I joined my colleague, Matthew Martinez, in 
sponsoring this important piece of legislation.
  Every American family is doing more with less time--but none more so 
than the families who must care for an older relative with chronic 
illnesses like Alzheimer's or with mental or physical disabilities. 
Growing numbers of families are choosing to care for their own at home 
over placing sick relatives in institutionalized care settings.
  This is what the New York Times calls ``a fundamental shift in health 
care.'' Today, dutiful children and caring spouses provide the 
staggering equivalent of $200 billion in direct care to their elderly 
or ailing relatives. At least 21 million Americans provide such free 
care--and the number is growing very quickly. In fact, one in four 
Americans currently provides care to a person with a chronic medical 
condition.
  Perhaps the best way to understand this tremendous demand on our 
families is to think of the time required of them. All of us are 
familiar with the 40 hour work week. Setting aside the expense, the 
emotional demands and the need for training of family caregivers, we 
know today that four million American households offer at least 40 
hours of unpaid family care to an older relative every week. Family 
caregivers of Alzheimer's patients spent an average 69 to 100 hours per 
week providing such care.
  We must also bear in mind that these families are juggling multiple 
responsibilities. More than 40 percent of family caregivers also care 
for children under 18--and two-thirds are full-time or part-time 
workers. You may have heard the term, ``the sandwich generation'' 
applied to the many Baby Boomers who are struggling to balance work, 
children and care for their parents. This is having an important impact 
on the workplace as well; according to corporate executives surveyed 
last year by the Conference Board, elder care will soon top child care 
as a major concern by employees.
  There is every indication that these demands on family caregivers 
will grow. Americans are living longer and the need for long-term care 
is growing quickly. Cost pressures in our health care system are 
reducing hospital stays and increasing outpatient care. These trends 
virtually assure that family caregivers will play an increasingly 
indispensable role in our health care delivery system.
  That is why we introduced H.R. 1341. These families need help. 
Modest, targeted initiatives like H.R. 1341 can do the most to help 
them by building on existing, successful efforts to provide assistance. 
Let me give a few examples.
  According to experts, ``the greatest need for most caregivers is 
rest.'' H.R. 1341 would provide them with quality respite care. States 
like California and Pennsylvania are leaders in providing assistance at 
``one-stop shops.'' H.R.

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1341 would expand these efforts through Federal-State partnerships. 
Local agencies, nonprofits and community groups currently provide 
family caregivers with training, counseling, referrals and crucial 
respite care. H.R. 1341 would reward outstanding, innovative programs 
and identify those of national significance.
  1999 is the International Year of Older Persons. In recognition of 
this important milestone. I encourage my colleagues to demonstrate 
their commitment to securing the dignity and health of older Americans 
and their families by cosponsoring H.R. 1434, ``The National Family 
Caregiver Support Act of 1999.''

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