Caregivers face $200 million federal shortfall as Senate weighs three support bills

The United States has 60 million family members who work, raise children, and manage the medical needs of aging relatives without a salary. Jason Resendez, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, presented three legislative fixes to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging on October 28. He joined gerontologist Sam Cradduck to detail how current federal policy fails to support this demographic.

Resendez framed the testimony around specific gaps in existing law. He stated that the National Alliance for Caregiving is pushing for changes to address the daily pain points faced by these individuals. The proposal targets funding streams, leave policies, and insurance coverage.

The first priority involves reauthorizing the Older Americans Act. This law provides funding to state Area Agencies on Aging for services like Meals on Wheels. A specific line item within the act is the National Family Caregiver Support Program. Resendez noted that this program currently receives approximately $200 million in annual funding. He described this amount as a drop in the bucket compared to the actual scale of need. The funds support respite care, training, and peer outreach.

The second proposal calls for a national paid family and medical leave program. Resendez pointed out that the United States remains one of the few industrialized nations without such a federal mandate. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have implemented their own versions due to the lack of federal action. Virginia was the first southern state to adopt such a program. A federal law would allow workers to maintain their employment and income while providing care.

The third priority focuses on expanding Medicare’s role in supporting caregivers. The National Alliance for Caregiving is seeking stronger access to training services and better in-home health benefits. Resendez argued that these three policies together create a stronger foundation for sustainable, equitable care.

When asked to choose the single most beneficial policy if only one passed, Resendez selected Medicare. He explained that changes there would provide immediate support to families. He also noted that modernizing the program, created in 1965, would align it with the current aging community. Extending support to all income levels, rather than just those covered by Medicaid, would transform how Americans age.

For the immediate future, Resendez identified one action for Congress to take in the next 30 days: pass the Older Americans Act. He called the issue extremely bipartisan and urged policymakers to cast the vote to reauthorize the law. He described it as a no-brainer for those looking to step up for family caregivers.

Resendez also offered advice for employers. He stated that companies should systematically ask employees if they have caregiving responsibilities. Currently, employers are not asking this question. Without that data, they cannot design benefits that account for staff balancing work with care duties.

The testimony concluded with a call for bipartisan action on the Older Americans Act. Resendez emphasized that the law provides a clear path for federal support. He left the Senate committee with the three policy pillars: reauthorized aging funds, national paid leave, and expanded Medicare benefits.