[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 66 (Thursday, May 10, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S3089]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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    SENATE RESOLUTION 453--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE THAT 
 SUPPORTING SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IS AN IMPORTANT 
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE UNITED STATES, AND THAT A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH 
  TO EXPANDING AND SUPPORTING A STRONG HOME CARE WORKFORCE AND MAKING 
     LONG-TERM SERVICES AND SUPPORTS AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE IN 
COMMUNITIES IS NECESSARY TO UPHOLD THE RIGHT OF SENIORS AND INDIVIDUALS 
 WITH DISABILITIES IN THE UNITED STATES TO A DIGNIFIED QUALITY OF LIFE

  Mr. HARKIN submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions:

                              S. Res. 453

       Whereas the aging of the baby boom generation will cause 
     the number of individuals in the United States who are 65 
     years of age or older to increase from 40,000,000 to 
     70,000,000 during the next 2 decades;
       Whereas 12,000,000 adults, nearly half of whom are under 65 
     years of age, need long-term services and supports due to 
     functional limitations;
       Whereas the decision of the Supreme Court in Olmstead v. 
     L.C., 527 U.S. 581 (1999), mandates the end of unnecessary 
     segregation of individuals with disabilities in institutions, 
     and requires that individuals with disabilities receive 
     services in the most integrated setting appropriate to their 
     needs;
       Whereas the vast majority of individuals in the United 
     States prefer to receive long-term services and supports in 
     their homes so that they may continue to live independently 
     and with dignity;
       Whereas the costs of long-term services and supports for 
     seniors and individuals with disabilities are high;
       Whereas the great expense of long-term services and 
     supports can affect all individuals, regardless of income;
       Whereas 70 percent of individuals who are 65 years of age 
     or older will need some form of long-term services and 
     supports;
       Whereas the number of individuals who need long-term 
     services and supports is projected to grow from 12,000,000 to 
     27,000,000 by 2050;
       Whereas there are approximately 3,000,000 workers in the 
     direct care workforce, leaving a huge gap between the 
     services needed and the size of the current workforce;
       Whereas the United States is experiencing a jobs crisis, as 
     25,000,000 individuals are unemployed or underemployed;
       Whereas home care is one of the fastest growing industries 
     in the United States economy, providing critical daily care, 
     services, and supports to millions of individuals and 
     families across the country;
       Whereas an estimated 1,800,000 additional home care workers 
     will be needed during the next decade to serve the growing 
     population of seniors and individuals with disabilities;
       Whereas the quality of home care jobs is poor, with low 
     wages, few benefits, high turnover, and a high level of job 
     stress and hazards;
       Whereas home care and personal assistance workers earn a 
     median hourly wage of $9.40, and nearly half of such workers 
     live in households that also rely on public assistance;
       Whereas approximately 58 percent of home care workers work 
     part-time, and approximately 40 percent of those part-time 
     workers would prefer to work more hours;
       Whereas nearly 23 percent of the individuals who provide 
     home care services were born outside the United States;
       Whereas a stabilized home care workforce would lead to 
     improved continuity and quality of long-term services and 
     supports;
       Whereas the issue of long-term services and supports is a 
     critical issue for women, as 70 percent of individuals who 
     need such care are women 65 years of age or older, 90 percent 
     of paid caregivers are women, and 85 percent of family 
     members and friends who informally provide care are women who 
     often have to leave the paid workforce to provide such care, 
     and thus are at a financial disadvantage during their working 
     years and face a reduction in Social Security benefits when 
     they retire; and
       Whereas a comprehensive approach that focuses on job 
     creation and job quality, workforce training, pathways to 
     citizenship and career advancement, and support for 
     individuals and families is necessary to build a strong home 
     care workforce and make quality long-term services and 
     supports affordable and accessible for all individuals in the 
     United States: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the Senate that a 
     comprehensive approach to expanding and supporting a strong 
     home care workforce and making long-term services and 
     supports affordable and accessible in communities is 
     necessary to uphold the right of seniors and individuals with 
     disabilities in the United States to a dignified quality of 
     life.

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