National Caregiving Group Urges Federal Action on Paid Leave and Medicare Support

Jason Resendez, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging this week to outline three federal policies aimed at supporting the more than 60 million Americans who provide care for aging parents or loved ones. Resendez joined gerontologist Sam Cradduck to explain the specific measures his organization is championing to address the daily difficulties faced by family caregivers.

The first priority is the reauthorization and funding of the Older Americans Act. This law allocates money to state Area Agencies on Aging for services such as Meals on Wheels and caregiver support. Within this act, the National Family Caregiver Support Program provides approximately $200 million annually to fund respite care, training, education, and outreach. Resendez described this amount as a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of need, noting that the program allows caregivers to take breaks and connect with peer support networks.

The second priority is the creation of a national paid family and medical leave program. Resendez stated that the United States remains one of the only industrialized nations without such a federal mandate. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have established their own programs due to the lack of federal action, with Virginia becoming the first southern state to implement one. A national program would allow individuals to provide care while remaining employed and maintaining financial stability.

The third priority involves expanding Medicare’s role in recognizing and supporting family caregivers. The National Alliance for Caregiving is pushing for stronger access to caregiver training services and enhanced in-home health benefits through Medicare. Resendez argued that these changes would help families provide care sustainably, with dignity, and with equity over time. When asked which single policy would be most beneficial if only one passed, Resendez pointed to Medicare, stating that changes there would modernize a program created in 1965 and bring immediate support to families.

Resendez said that extending in-home health benefits and caregiver support to families at all income levels would transform what it looks like to age in America. He noted that the older adult community has changed significantly since the program's inception in 1965, and that parity with Medicaid's support for low-income families is necessary for broader impact.

In response to a question about a concrete step for the next 30 days, Resendez advised Congress to pass the Older Americans Act, citing it as an extremely bipartisan issue. For employers, he said the first step is to systematically ask employees whether they have caregiving responsibilities. He noted that employers currently lack this data, which prevents them from designing benefits for staff who balance work and caregiving duties.

Resendez emphasized that policymakers can act on these issues now. He described the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act as a straightforward vote for legislators who wish to step up for family caregivers. The testimony concluded with a focus on practical actions for both the federal government and private businesses to bridge the current gap in support systems.