Economic Recovery Package Ignores Urgent Family Care Needs
Families Will Continue Facing Crushing Costs, Direct Care Workforce Shortages Without Care Investments
WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 12, 2022)—The House passed a major spending bill today that seeks to address high prescription drug prices, climate change challenges and the federal deficit. The Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden will sign into law shortly, includes unprecedented investments in clean energy infrastructure and measures to make medications more affordable, but excludes funding for family care and other priorities proposed in the larger and more comprehensive Build Back Better economic recovery package. The Senate’s final negotiations ultimately stripped out investments that would have transformed the way that people accessed child care, paid leave and home and community based services for people with disabilities and older adults. Ignoring the care infrastructure that all families need will worsen the direct care workforce shortage and put critical care services further out of reach for many, according to care advocacy organization Caring Across Generations.
Below is a statement by Ai-jen Poo, executive director of Caring Across Generations:
“While the Inflation Reduction Act should be celebrated for its historic achievements in addressing climate change and in lowering the cost of prescription medications, for tens of millions of families, it falls short of addressing their most stressful and urgent needs. No one should have to choose between paying their grocery bill or getting gas to drive their loved one to the doctor. Investing in our care infrastructure – paid leave, childcare, and home and community based services – will grow our direct care workforce and allow families to make a living without worrying about the health and safety of their loved ones. We need to strengthen and invest in the systems of care, the backbone of our economy, to protect our families from recession and recover financially.”