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December 11, 2015 at 08:36 AM
Congress could create a caregiver support advisory council that would leave representatives from the insurance industry in the audience seats.
See also: Alzheimer’s panel short on funding ideas
S. 1719, the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act bill, calls for the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to set up a Family Caregiving Advisory Council and work with the council to develop a National Family Caregiving Strategy document.
S. 1719 drafters say the family caregiver strategy document should talk about family caregivers’ financial security, and about policies that could help family caregivers stay in the workforce, as well as ideas for improving care coordination, information services, hospice services and caregiver respite options.
See also: Rosie the caregiver: 10 ways to help her rivet our LTC ship together
Members of the Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent earlier this week. The House referred the bill to the House Education and the Workforce Committee, which has been considering an S. 1719 companion bill, H.R. 3099, since November.
In a description of the advisory council, bill drafters say the council members should include caregivers, older adults with long-term care (LTC) needs, people with disabilities, health care providers, state and local officials, LTC providers, accreditation bodies, veterans and employers.
The list mentions representatives from “relevant industries,” but it does not specifically mention representatives from insurance companies, or representatives from other types of financial services companies.
