Bush Signs Caregiver Bill into Law

WASHINGTON–President Bush has signed into law a measure to help
family caregivers who provide daily care to loved ones with
disabilities or chronic conditions.

The “Lifespan Respite Care Act” authorizes $289 million during
the next five years for states to train volunteers and provide
respite services to an estimated 50 million families caring at home
for adults and children with special needs. Respite care gives
primary caregivers the ability to find temporary relief from
caregiving, such as time to prepare meals or run errands.

Written by Rep. Mike Ferguson, R-N.J., and supported by the
National Respite Coalition, which represents more than 70 advocacy
groups for the chronically ill, disabled and aging, the legislation
won unanimous approval from the House and Senate before the 109th
Congress ended its session in December.

The law will help coordinate various respite care programs, and
states can apply to the Department of Health and Human Services for
grants to establish respite care programs, Ferguson said. He added
that the law may save taxpayers’ money because studies have shown
that respite care can delay or, in some cases, avoid more expensive
long-term care solutions such as those provided by nursing
homes.

The law had bipartisan support in Congress with Rep. Jim
Langevin, D-R.I., supporting the House version and Sen. Hillary
Clinton, D-N.Y., the chief sponsor in the Senate.