Jefferson Reporter

U.S. Senators Katie Britt, Ed Markey, and Shelley Moore Capito have introduced the Alleviating Barriers for Caregivers (ABC) Act in the Senate. This legislation is aimed at reducing administrative burdens for family caregivers by mandating the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Social Security Administration (SSA), and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to review eligibility processes, forms, and communications.

Senator Katie Britt emphasized the importance of supporting family caregivers, saying, "Alabama’s family caregivers are the best among us, dedicating their time and efforts to care for their loved ones. This legislation provides critical support to help relieve these administrative burdens and ensure the care they provide isn’t impeded by red tape."

The ABC Act also mandates CMS, SSA, and CHIP to report back to Congress within two years with updates on challenges faced and future steps to assist family caregivers. The legislation was simultaneously introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Representatives Seth Magaziner and Kat Cammack.

Caregivers form a crucial part of the nation’s healthcare system, offering care to seniors and people with disabilities. There are over 48 million family caregivers in the United States and approximately 700,000 in Alabama, constituting 13.9% of its population.

Senator Ed Markey echoed the sentiment of support, stating, "Caregivers, like my father was, serve on the frontlines of our nation’s health care system by giving our families and friends the care and support they need to remain in their homes and communities with their loved ones."

The legislation aims to address the complex processes that caregivers frequently navigate. Senator Shelley Moore Capito shared her insight, adding, "More than 1 in 4 Americans over 50 are now caregivers. I was one of these caregivers for my parents during their struggle with Alzheimer’s disease and know personally how hard it can be to balance all of the responsibilities put on individuals caring for their loved ones."

Senator Britt co-sponsored this legislation in the 118th Congress, and the full text of the bill is available for further review.