Help the Lifespan Respite Care Act Receive Funding!
- by: NJ Lifespan Respite Coalition and Caregivers of New Jersey
- recipient: The Members of the United States Congress
The New Jersey Lifespan Respite Coalition is seeking funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Act (PL 109-442) in the authorized level of $71.1 million. Despite its widely supported enactment in 2006, the program received only $2.5 million in FY09, a small fraction of the $289 million originally requested.
The Lifespan Respite Care Act is the only federal law which mandates respite services, regardless of age or disability, and serves a critical and unique purpose.
The nation's estimated 50 million family caregivers provide about 80% of long-term care. The latest AARP study revealed that in 2007, the economic value of uncompensated family caregiving to the US economy was estimated at $375 billion, more than total Medicaid spending in 2007. According to the National Alliance for Caregiving and the MetLife Institute, American businesses lose $17.1 to $33.6 billion annually in productivity costs related to caregiving responsibilities.
Respite is the most frequently requested family support service, has been shown to provide family caregivers with the relief necessary to maintain their own health, their family and marriage. For families and individuals who may not qualify for any public or private respite funding, including children, teens and adults with severe disabilities, emotional and psychological conditions, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, spinal cord injuries, cancer, Alzheimer's and many other chronic physical and mental health conditions, as well as wounded veterans returning home from war with traumatic brain injury, these programs may be holding out the only helping hand.
We are asking that you, citizens of the United States, family caregivers, supporters, friends and advocates, sign on to this petition in hopes that the families of those with disabilities and chronic illnesses may receive the deserved respite care services they desperately need.
We thank you for taking the time to visit our petition site and hope you will sign on and stand with us in support of the Lifespan Respite Care Act Program.
We, the undersigned, seek funding for the Lifespan Respite Care Act (PL 109-442) in the modest authorized level of $71.1 million. Despite its widely supported enactment in 2006, the program received only $2.5 million in FY09. The Lifespan Respite Care Act is the only federal law which mandates respite services, the only federal program which could help ensure respite quality or choice, and the only federal program which allows funds for respite start-up, training and coordination. As the only federal program to address basic accessibility and affordability issues for families regardless of age or disability, it serves a critical and unique purpose.
The funding request for this proposal is extremely modest relative to the billions of dollars worth of uncompensated care provided today by the nation's family caregivers. The nation's estimated 50 million family caregivers provide about 80% of long-term care. The latest AARP study revealed that in 2007, the economic value of uncompensated family caregiving to the US economy was estimated at $375 billion, up from $350 billion the previous year. This amount is more than total Medicaid spending in 2007, including both federal and state contributions for both medical and long-term care ($311 billion). In addition, according to the National Alliance for Caregiving and the MetLife Institute, American businesses lose $17.1 to $33.6 billion annually in productivity costs related to caregiving responsibilities. In this current economic climate, these are losses that cannot be sustained.
In these times of serious budget constraints, the economic value that accrues from respite is exceptional. Respite, the most frequently requested family support service, has been shown to provide family caregivers with the relief necessary to maintain their own health, bolster family stability, keep marriages intact, and avoid or delay more costly nursing home or foster care placements. Delaying nursing home, institutional or foster care placement of just one individual for several months can save Medicaid, child welfare, or other government programs tens of thousands of dollars.
The Act is based on model State Lifespan Respite Systems in Wisconsin, as well as in Oregon, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. These systems provide easy access to an array of affordable, quality respite services; ensure flexibility to meet diverse needs; and assist with locating, training and paying respite providers. A new program is up and running in Arizona, as well.
For families and individuals who may not qualify for any public or private respite funding, including children with severe disabilities, teens with serious emotional and psychological conditions, and adults with Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injuries, cancer, Alzheimer's and many other chronic physical and mental health conditions, these programs may be holding out the only helping hand. For our wounded veterans returning home from war with traumatic brain injuries and other polytraumas, Lifespan Respite systems could be the lifeline their families must turn to in their new roles as life-long family caregivers.
We urge you, Congress, to fund this important program at $71.1 million for those in need of respite care and family support, and thank you for taking time out of your day to read through our letter.
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