Today is a win for family caregivers. In a fiscal and political climate where many critical programs are facing cuts or elimination; Congress chose to protect and strengthen core family caregiver supports. While modest, these investments reflect the growing understanding that our nation’s 63+ million family caregivers are essential to keeping American families healthy and at home.
Family caregivers contribute an estimated $600 billion in unpaid labor, supporting loved ones with chronic conditions and disabilities. Strengthening federal caregiver programs is a sound economic investment; allowing families to stay in their homes and communities, avoiding the high cost of institutional care.
The National Alliance for Caregiving is grateful to our champions in Congress — including House Appropriations Chair Tom Cole and Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, as well as Senate Appropriations Chair Susan Collins and Ranking Member Patty Murray — who recognize the indispensable contributions of family caregivers. We look forward to working with them in the coming year to build on this momentum.
Statement from National Alliance for Caregiving, upon passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026
