Caring Across Generations Statement on 2024 State of the Union
WASHINGTON (March 7, 2024) – Tonight, President Joe Biden delivered his third State of the Union Address, where he emphasized that investing in care is essential to the financial security of families and the success of the U.S. economy. The president reaffirmed his commitment to an economic agenda that invests 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 third State of the Union Address asked us to imagine a future with affordable child care, paid leave, aging and disability care, especially in the home. He affirmed the unprecedented focus and commitment of this administration to supporting caregiving – both those who need it and those who provide it. I am thankful we have a President who understands the extreme economic pressures facing families and workers, and is ready to take action so that we don’t have to make impossible choices between caring for ourselves or our loved ones and working.
“When child care costs $10,000 annually but child care workers only make $14 per hour, something is wrong. When aging and disability care at home costs $64,000 annually but home care workers make only $15 per hour, something is wrong. We need public investments to bring the cost of care into balance.
“By taxing the ultra-wealthy and lowering families’ out-of-pocket costs for care, we can create good care jobs in local communities, and enable family caregivers to maintain or secure jobs. These investments strengthen our overall workforce and our entire economy, which – at every level – relies upon the contributions of people with families. We simply can not wait any longer to invest in care. Care Can’t Wait.
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Caring Across Generations is a national organization 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.