[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 151 (Thursday, September 19, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Ms. Hassan):
  S. 2521. A bill to award grants for the recruitment, retention, and 
advancement of direct care workers; to the Committee on Health, 
Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President. As our Nation ages, we face a growing need 
for direct care professionals to care for older adults and people with 
disabilities. The U.S. Census Bureau projects the number of people aged 
65 and older to more than double between 2015 and 2060, from nearly 48 
million to 98 million. Approximately 61 million Americans are currently 
living with a disability. By 2024, 5 .2 million direct care workers 
will be needed across all care settings.
  Direct care workers, such as home health aides and nursing 
assistants, are the backbone of the long-term care workforce, providing 
daily assistance to millions of older Americans, people with 
disabilities, and others with chronic care needs. Direct care workers 
help ensure that older Americans and people with disabilities receive 
the critical care they need while remaining active members of their 
communities. However, direct care workers are often paid low wages and 
may face poor working conditions and economic insecurity. The majority 
of direct care workers are women and people of color. Some direct care 
workers do not have education beyond high school and lack access to a 
career pathway or advanced training. Twenty-four percent of home care 
workers live below the Federal poverty level and 52 percent of direct 
care workers rely on some form of public assistance to support 
themselves and their families.
  Today, I am pleased to introduce the Direct Creation, Advancement, 
and Retention of Employment Opportunity Act, or Direct CARE Opportunity 
Act, with Senator Hassan. I am proud to have partnered with my friend 
and colleague in the Virginia delegation Chairman Bobby Scott on this 
bill, who has also introduced the bill today in the House of 
Representatives. The Direct CARE Opportunity Act provides support for 
strategies to recruit, retain, and advance the direct care workforce 
pipeline. Our legislation would support the implementation of models 
and strategies to train more people in the direct care field, while 
allowing for local and regional innovation to address workforce 
shortages. We encourage retention and career advancement in a high-
demand field where workers carry a large emotional burden and face 
barriers to economic mobility. Our legislation responds to the needs of 
our growing aging population, allowing older Americans, people with 
disabilities, and those with chronic illnesses to remain in their 
communities while receiving critical care and support, helping prevent 
costlier institutional care.
  I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to see the Direct 
CARE Opportunity Act as a chance to invest in the professionals who 
care for millions of vulnerable Americans every day, ensuring they live 
with dignity and independence.
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