President signs into law Collins, McMorris Rodgers bipartisan bill supporting family caregivers

Bipartisan legislation co-authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) to support the health and well-being of family caregivers became law on Jan. 5 with the president’s signature.

“This new law will give caregivers and their loved ones the support they need by ensuring that quality respite is available and accessible,” Sen. Collins said on Jan. 13.

The Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2020, H.R. 8906, introduced in December 2020 by U.S. Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and James Langevin (D-RI), authorizes $10 million annually for the Lifespan Respite Care program from fiscal year 2020 through FY 2024. Sen. Collins and U.S. Sen. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) introduced the original bill, S. 995, on April 2, 2019 in their chamber. 

“In my conversations with family caregivers, I have found what they need most is respite care, a break from the 24/7 job of caregiving,” said Sen. Collins. “Caregivers provide an estimated $470 billion in uncompensated care each year. Yet, an astounding 85 percent of caregivers have not received any respite services at all.”

And respite care is “essential to caregivers as it helps to reduce mental stress and physical health issues they may experience,” the senator added.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers pointed out that respite care agencies provide family caregivers with short-term relief and serve as an essential part of a comprehensive healthcare approach. “I’m proud to help get this bill signed into law,” she said.

The bill also requires each state agency that is awarded a grant under the program to report any data required by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for program monitoring and evaluation, according to the congressional record bill summary.

The National Respite Coalition applauded the lawmakers for championing the Lifespan Respite Reauthorization Act to final passage. The coalition consists of 100 leading caregiver and respite organizations, including AARP, the ARCH National Respite Coalition, the Autism Society of America, and the National Alliance for Caregiving, among many others.