From our first breath to our last, caregiving shapes every aspect of our lives. It’s woven into the fabric of our families, communities, and economy. At the heart of this vital support system are America’s 53 million family caregivers who navigate aging, serious illness, and disability care for loved ones and chosen family. They are the backbone of our healthcare system and economy.
Yet, despite their crucial role, these dedicated individuals often go unrecognized. This lack of acknowledgment has far-reaching consequences, with many caregivers facing significant financial strain, health challenges, and emotional burnout due to insufficient support systems. In fact, recent data from the CDC shows that caregiver health is declining across several indicators, including obesity and depression.
That’s why NAC has been a long-standing advocate for a whole-of-government approach to supporting family caregivers. And just in the last week, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) issued their comprehensive Report to Congress on Federal Implementation of the Strategy detailing the progress made by 15 federal agencies in implementing the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers. Launched in 2022, this historic initiative marked the first nationwide effort to address the needs of family caregivers across all sectors of society.
The Strategy focuses on five key goals:
- Increase awareness and outreach to family caregivers
- Build partnerships and engagement with family caregivers in care teams
- Strengthen services and supports for family caregivers
- Ensure financial and workplace security for family caregivers
- Expand data, research, and evidence-based practices to support family caregivers
Shaping the Future of Care
Designed as a dynamic plan, the National Strategy has provided a roadmap for federal and state policymakers, agencies, and community leadership to increase coordination and access to support and services for family caregivers across the U.S.
In just two years, the plan has helped to lay a stronger foundation in support of care across the federal government:
- Increased federal coordination: The National Strategy established a council of experts from inside and outside the government to work alongside family caregivers to ensure the National Strategy is responsive to the needs of the care community.
- New federal funding: An investment of $22 million to support the implementation of the National Strategy at the federal and state levels.
- Federal agency action: New initiatives across federal agencies to advance the goals of the National Strategy, including new Medicare payments for family caregiver training services, respite care, and increased awareness of workplace protections.
- Philanthropic alignment: The National Strategy has helped to catalyze more than $100 million in philanthropic funding aligned with the goals of the National Strategy.
These wins wouldn’t have been possible without the advocacy of the care community, including through the Act on RAISE campaign. Powered by NAC and made possible by a cornerstone investment from The John A. Hartford Foundation, the campaign brings together more than 100 organizational partners across the care ecosystem to advocate for the implementation and strengthening of the National Strategy. The campaign joins a growing wave of advocacy efforts at both the national and state levels pushing for significantly increased investment in support of family caregivers.
From First-in-Class to Best-in-Class
The National Strategy is on the road to becoming a transformative blueprint for a nation that values and supports its family caregivers.
We can’t take our foot off the gas. Now is the time to ensure we’re building on this success to move from a first-in-class strategy to a best-in-class National Strategy that takes bold action in support of family caregivers.
To advance the National Strategy and its goals in 2025 and beyond, we will continue to advocate for:
- Increased federal investment: While the initial $22 million is a great start, additional funding is necessary to accelerate implementation of the National Strategy.
- Reauthorization of the RAISE Family Caregiving Act: To ensure continued implementation and iteration of the National Strategy, Congress must reauthorize the RAISE Act through the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act (OAA).
- Time-bound goals: Defining clear deadlines and targets is necessary to create a sense of urgency and accountability.
- Boldly leverage existing authorities: We encourage federal agencies to be innovative in using their existing mandates. One example is the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) incorporating new codes for healthcare providers to offer Caregiver Training Services as part of their annual Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) update.
- Congressional leadership on Care: We urge Congress to embrace the National Strategy’s policy recommendations and act where federal agencies cannot. By implementing paid family and medical leave, introducing caregiver tax credits, and strengthening home and community-based services through Medicaid and Medicare, lawmakers can significantly expand support for family caregivers.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate the two-year birthday of the National Strategy and the progress marked in the report to Congress, we must acknowledge the hard work ahead to create a society that truly celebrates and values the contributions of family caregivers. As we move into its third year, let’s commit to strengthening the strategy, ensuring that it continues to evolve and respond to the changing needs of family caregivers across the nation.
We have a strong foundation; now it’s time to build upon it with even greater ambition and determination.
Read our full press release statement: National Alliance for Caregiving Responds to Federal Progress Report on the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers | The National Alliance for Caregiving
Learn more:
- View the data tables that show the progress made by federal agencies
- Read the HHS press release
