[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 17, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H5302-H5303]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            REAUTHORIZATION OF LIFESPAN RESPITE CARE PROGRAM

  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 6160) to amend the Public Health Service Act to 
reauthorize a lifespan respite care program, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 6160

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. REAUTHORIZATION OF LIFESPAN RESPITE CARE PROGRAM.

       Section 2905 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     300ii-4) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 2020 through 
     fiscal year 2024'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2025 through 
     2029''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
Washington (Mrs. Rodgers) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. 
Pallone) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Washington.


                             General Leave.

  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend 
their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the 
bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from Washington?

[[Page H5303]]

  There was no objection.
  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as 
I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6160, led by Mr. Molinaro, 
which reauthorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Program administered by 
the Administration For Community Living.
  This program helps support State systems to provide community-based 
respite care services to family caregivers tending to children and 
adults with disabilities and chronic conditions.
  There are about 53 million family caregivers in the United States, 
more than 5 million who are parents or guardians caring for children 
with special healthcare needs.
  Many family caregivers have unmet respite needs, and studies show 
that increasing respite accessibility can decrease burnout rates and 
help individuals continue caregiving.
  Reauthorizing the Lifespan Respite Care Program will continue vital 
resources for family caregivers so they can operate at their highest 
potential.
  I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6160, a bill to amend the 
Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Care 
Program led by Representatives Molinaro and Cardenas.
  There are more than 53 million family caregivers in the United 
States. For many, caregiving is a 24/7 job. While it can be very 
rewarding, it can also be emotionally and physically challenging. 
Respite care, the opportunity to temporarily entrust the care of loved 
ones to someone else, is one of the most frequently reported unmet 
needs of caregivers. Respite care can be provided in a variety of 
settings, including the home, adult daycare centers, or residential 
care facilities.
  By providing temporary relief for caregivers, respite care helps to 
reduce the mental stress and physical health issues that caregivers 
might experience. In doing so, respite care also decreases the need for 
professional long-term care and allows people who require care to 
remain at home.
  This bill reauthorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Program operated by 
the Administration for Community Living. This program empowers State 
systems to provide accessible community-based respite care services 
which can contribute to the health and well-being of both caregivers 
and care recipients.
  This important program provides much-needed relief to caregivers and 
helps to improve the availability of respite services to families 
across the age and disability spectrums.
  I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6160, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Molinaro), the prime sponsor of this 
legislation.
  Mr. MOLINARO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman not only for her 
leadership but for her support of this legislation as well.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6160, the 
Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act.
  As we know, over 48 million Americans are caring for someone over the 
age of 18. Recent reports from the AARP have shown that caregivers have 
reported increases in stress levels and a decline in overall health.
  Respite services offer families much-needed temporary care or 
supervision for children and adults of all ages with disabilities and 
chronic illnesses.
  As the parent of an adult child with a developmental disability, I 
know firsthand the value of respite care. Having interacted with many 
respite care workers, I know how important their work is and how they 
deserve greater respect and more support.
  My bill authorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Program through fiscal 
year 2029 to provide States with Federal funding to continue to offer 
these essential services and provide relief to our caregivers.
  Authorized by Congress in 2006, the Lifespan Respite Care Program has 
been a lifeline for our caregivers and provides them with critical 
assistance so they can recharge and meet their family's needs.
  Family caregivers are often the unsung heroes who make personal 
sacrifices to care for their loved ones. I am proud to work alongside 
my colleagues to pass this bipartisan Lifespan Respite Care 
Reauthorization Act and continue to provide caregivers with relief and 
assistance so they can lead a balanced life while tending to their 
loved ones.
  I would like to extend my appreciation to Congressman Cardenas for 
his support of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support 
this commonsense bipartisan bill.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The gentleman from New Jersey has 18\1/2\ 
minutes remaining.
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that respite care is 
obviously very important, and this bill goes a long way toward dealing 
with that. I would ask all my colleagues to support it, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge a ``yes'' 
vote on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from Washington (Mrs. Rodgers) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6160, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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