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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
URGING THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO PASS THE “RECOGNIZE, ASSIST, INCLUDE, SUPPORT AND ENGAGE (RAISE) FAMILY CAREGIVERS ACT”
WHEREAS, across the country, more than 40 million Americans selflessly dedicate themselves to providing unpaid care for older parents, spouses, children with disabilities, disabled veterans and other loved ones; and
WHEREAS, by providing much-needed help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, meal preparation, managing medications, transportation, and more, family caregivers have become the backbone of care in America; and
WHEREAS, on July 16, 2015, the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act, (H.R.3099 - RAISE Family Caregivers Act) was introduced in Congress and would require the development of a strategy that would identify specific actions that government, communities, providers, employers, and others can take to recognize and support family caregivers; and
WHEREAS, H.R. 3099 - RAISE Family Caregivers Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to develop, maintain, and periodically update a National Family Caregiving Strategy; and
WHEREAS, the approval of this bill would help disabled and older Americans live at home, where they want to be by
• Promoting greater adoption of person- and family-centered care in all health and Long Term Service and Support (LTSS) settings
• Offering assessment and service planning (including care transitions and coordination) involving care recipients and family caregivers
• Providing training and other supports
• Providing information, education, referral and care coordination
• Offering respite options
• Contribution to financial security
• Promoting workplace policies and supports that allow family caregivers to remain in the workplace; and
WHEREAS, on November 16, 2015 the H.R. 3099 - RAISE Family Act was referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education for consideration; and
WHEREAS, many Americans have been or will be family caregivers or are likely to need the help of someone to live independently in their homes and communities; and
WHEREAS, supporting caregivers is a bipartisan issue that touches almost every family.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby recognize and support the contributions that roughly 40 million family caregivers make every day; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners do hereby urge the United States Congress to pass H.R. 3099 - RAISE Family Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this text be spread upon the official proceedings of this Honorable Body and copies of this resolution be presented to Rep. Paul D. Ryan, Speaker of the House; Rep. Kevin McCarthy, Majority Leader; and Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader.
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