Reauthorization of Lifespan Respite Care Program

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6160, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Care Program led by Representatives Molinaro and Cardenas.

There are more than 53 million family caregivers in the United States. For many, caregiving is a 24/7 job. While it can be very rewarding, it can also be emotionally and physically challenging. Respite care, the opportunity to temporarily entrust the care of loved ones to someone else, is one of the most frequently reported unmet needs of caregivers. Respite care can be provided in a variety of settings, including the home, adult daycare centers, or residential care facilities.

By providing temporary relief for caregivers, respite care helps to reduce the mental stress and physical health issues that caregivers might experience. In doing so, respite care also decreases the need for professional long-term care and allows people who require care to remain at home.

This bill reauthorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Program operated by the Administration for Community Living. This program empowers State systems to provide accessible community-based respite care services which can contribute to the health and well-being of both caregivers and care recipients.

This important program provides much-needed relief to caregivers and helps to improve the availability of respite services to families across the age and disability spectrums.

I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6160, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

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Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, let me just say that respite care is obviously very important, and this bill goes a long way toward dealing with that. I would ask all my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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