[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 4, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S1498]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Ms. Baldwin):
  S. 830. A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize 
the program relating to lifespan respite care, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
with my colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Baldwin, to reauthorize the 
Lifespan Respite Care Program.
  Every day, an estimated 53 million family caregivers attend to loved 
ones across all age groups, disabilities, and chronic conditions. 
Respite care gives these full-time caregivers a much-needed opportunity 
to take a temporary break from their important responsibilities.
  Caregivers help their loved ones remain at home, and the decision to 
assume these responsibilities full time often delays the need for 
nursing home care. While many of these individuals care for an older 
adult, almost one-third of caregivers attend to family members under 
the age of 50. The value of their efforts is tremendous, amounting to 
more than $600 billion in uncompensated care each year.
  This compassionate task, however, can take a tremendous toll. 
Caregivers experience higher mortality rates and are more likely to 
acquire acute and chronic health conditions themselves.
  Respite care helps reduce mental stress and physical health problems 
that they may experience, thus helping to keep caregivers healthy and 
families intact. Yet almost 85 percent of America's caregivers have 
never received any respite services.
  As a Senator representing the State with the oldest median age in the 
Nation, the well-being of our older citizens and their caregivers is 
among my top priorities.
  Since the Lifespan Respite Care Act was enacted in 2006, 38 States 
and the District of Columbia have received grants to increase the 
availability and quality of respite services. Our legislation would 
extend this programming for another 5 years, through fiscal year 2030.
  In Maine, there are approximately 166,000 family caregivers who 
provide 155 million hours of care to loved ones each year. The Maine 
Department of Health highlighted the importance of respite care in a 
report released earlier this year that evaluates the Maine State 
Respite Care Program. Participants shared how assistance made available 
through this program has enabled them to take much-needed breaks, 
reduce their anxiety, and even reenergize their enthusiasm for 
caregiving.
  One Mainer shared that access to respite care has meant that she has 
been able to truly visit with her parents when she spends time with 
them instead of using all of that time just to do their chores, their 
yard work, and other tasks. She says that it has been wonderful to have 
someone help her parents with their chores and shopping for their 
needs, and it has meant that she, herself, is far less tired.
  Stories such as these emphasize the importance of respite care, of a 
break for these caregivers who are giving so much to their family 
members.
  Although most caregivers are adults, there are also more than 5 
million young people in our country who provide care for grandparents, 
parents, or siblings with disabilities. Studies have found that 
approximately one in five young adults who dropped out of school did so 
to care for a family member. These children often choose to give up 
activities that other teens should enjoy, such as extracurricular 
activities--sports, outside activities--and they may experience 
depression or anxiety. Our legislation would clarify that young people 
who are caregivers, including those who are under age 18, are also able 
to access respite care services.
  There is a large gap between caregivers who need respite services, 
who need a break from the 24-hour care of their loved ones, and those 
who actually receive this kind of assistance. Our bill would help close 
that gap by reauthorizing funding for this program that has helped 
States establish or strengthen respite services. This funding can be 
used to assist caregivers in finding available respite services, to 
train and recruit volunteers to provide temporary caregiving, and to 
provide financial support through vouchers so that caregivers can 
better afford respite services.
  Our bill is widely supported by leading caregiver and respite 
organizations, including the ARCH National Respite Network and Resource 
Center, the Alzheimer's Association, and the Alzheimer's Impact 
Movement.
  Our bipartisan legislation will provide the necessary resources to 
ensure that more caregivers have access to the respite services they 
need. I urge all of our colleagues to support this important, 
bipartisan legislation. It will make a real difference for the 
caregivers, the family caregivers, in our States.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Wisconsin.
  Ms. BALDWIN. Mr. President, today, I rise to reaffirm my partnership 
with Senator Susan Collins in the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization 
Act of 2025.
  Senator Collins and I recognize the challenges that family caregivers 
face. We have worked together over many years to advance legislation to 
support the essential role that caregivers play in our communities. We 
were successful in passing legislation that establishes a national 
strategy to support family caregivers, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act, 
and we are committed to reauthorizing the Lifespan Respite Care Program 
that supports the health and well-being of family caregivers.
  Every day, family caregivers in Wisconsin and across our country tend 
to the needs of their loved ones. Although this work can be very, very 
rewarding, it can also be emotionally and physically challenging.
  After serving as my grandmother's primary caregiver as she got older, 
I know firsthand the time, the dedication, and the sacrifice involved 
to keep our aging, disabled, or sick loved ones safe and well. 
Caregiving can be a 24/7 job, and too often, family caregivers 
compromise their own health to ensure that their loved ones are not 
left in limbo.
  Respite care offers family caregivers a necessary break to focus on 
their own mental health and well-being. That is why I was proud to 
reintroduce our bipartisan legislation so that our family caregivers 
can access the support and the relief they need. This bill would 
support family caregivers by reauthorizing the Lifespan Respite Care 
Program, which allows full-time caregivers to take a temporary break 
from their responsibilities caring for aging or disabled loved ones.
  Across the country, there are over 53 million Americans who currently 
provide uncompensated care for their families, which provides an 
estimated $600 billion in uncompensated care each year. Let that sink 
in.
  By protecting the health of caregivers, respite care decreases the 
need for professional long-term care and allows individuals who require 
care to remain at home.
  I look forward to continuing to work with Senator Collins to advance 
this important legislation in the 119th Congress.
                                 ______