President Biden Mentions Care Priorities More Than 10 Times in State of the Union, Affirms Care as Top Focus
Caring Across Generations Statement on 2023 State of the Union
WASHINGTON (February 7, 2023)—Tonight, President Joe Biden delivered his second State of the Union Address, where he addressed that investing in care is essential to the financial security of working families and the success of the U.S. economy. The president mentioned care priorities more than 10 times tonight and reaffirmed his commitment to invest in child care, paid leave, and aging and disability care.
Below is a statement from Ai-jen Poo, executive director of Caring Across Generations:
“President Biden’s second State of the Union Address affirmed how much this administration values care, both those who need it and those who provide it. I am thankful we have a President who understands the importance of caregiving and investing in high-quality child care, paid leave, aging and disability care and the direct care workforce. And I applaud the President for highlighting that access to good care is what this country urgently needs right now.
“We have care in common: An overwhelming majority of people, across all beliefs and party lines in every state, supports increasing funding for care. While most Americans would say that family is at the heart of what they value most, our policies don’t always reflect this. Like our bridges and broadband, care is essential infrastructure that we should invest in as a nation. People shouldn’t have to choose between doing well and living well. It is critical Congress fully fund the care we all need and deserve, creating policies and programs that let people be families first. Congress must make 2023 the year of care.”
###
Caring Across Generations is a national campaign of family caregivers, care workers, disabled people, and aging adults working to transform the way we care in this country so that care is accessible, affordable and equitable— and our systems of care enable everyone to live and age with dignity.
To achieve our vision, we transform cultural norms and narratives about aging, disability and care; win federal and state-level policies; and build power amongst the people touched by care. For more information, visit caringacross.org.