Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation with my colleague from Wisconsin, Senator Baldwin, that would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to convene a panel to develop a national strategy to recognize and support the more than forty million family caregivers in the United States. I am pleased that Senators Murkowski and Bennet have joined us as cosponsors. The United States' population is aging. Every day, 10,000 baby boomers turn 65 years old. Americans 85 and older--our oldest old--are the fastest growing segment of our population. This is the population that is most at risk of multiple and interacting health problems that can lead to disability and the need for round-the-clock care. At the very time that our population is aging, birth rates are declining. While the need for care and support is increasing, the numbers of professional and informal caregivers is shrinking. In the future, more people will have to rely on fewer caregivers. Families will likely continue to be the most important source of support for people with long-term care needs. We must do more to support the more than 43 million family caregivers in the United States who make remarkable sacrifices to care for their loved ones. While it is impossible to put a dollar amount to the value of the devotion, time, and services that these caregivers provide, it is estimated that in 2013 family caregivers provided $470 billion in uncompensated long- term care.…”