Email to Congressman Tim Murphy re: the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act (H.R. 3099)

As a constituent and MS activist, I urge you to cosponsor the Recognize, Assist, Include, Support and Engage (RAISE) Family Caregivers Act (H.R. 3099). Family caregivers are the backbone of our nation's long-term services and supports, supporting loved ones home for as long as possible and preventing premature admission to costly facilities. However, caregiving takes a toll. Caregivers of people with MS spend more than 24 hours a week providing care; 64% of MS caregivers are emotionally drained, 32% experience depression and 22% have lost a job due to caregiving responsibilities.

The RAISE Family Caregivers Act would require the development of a national strategy to support family caregivers, beginning with an advisory body of representatives from the private and public sectors, and relevant federal agencies. This advisory group would identify specific actions that communities, providers, government, employers and others can take to recognize and support family caregivers; this action plan would be updated annually.

Please help support family caregivers by
cosponsoring the RAISE Act (H.R. 3099) today! To cosponsor, email Scot Malvaney scot.malvaney@mail.house.gov with Rep. Harper or Elizabeth Brown elizabeth.brown@mail.house.gov with Rep. Castor

Response from Congressman Murphy:

Dear Mr. Austin,

Thank you for contacting me with your thoughts on H.R. 3099, the RAISE Family Caregivers Act. I appreciate the opportunity to hear your concerns and to respond. 

There are more than 40 million Americans that selflessly provide care and support for their loved ones suffering from chronic conditions and disabilities. These family caregivers assist aging and chronically ill family members with performing daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing, transportation, and more. Unpaid family caregivers play a critical role in our nation’s health and long term care system and save American taxpayers billions of dollars in in-home care costs each year. Their continued support is imperative, yet majority of the family caregiving population still lacks the community support and resources needed to care for their loved ones and to lead meaningful lives of their own.     

That’s why I recently co-sponsored the RAISE Family Caregivers Act (H.R.3099), which will establish a federal Commission on Long-Term Care to collect information on family caregiving and develop a national strategy that addresses the disparities and needs of the caregiving population. This comprehensive plan will recognize meaningful actions that the government, workplaces, communities and families can take to greater assist and support family caregivers so they can effectively care for their loved ones and themselves. 

Thank you again for contacting me on this issue and I ask you to stay connected with me and continue our dialogue. If you would like to receive my email newsletter describing important votes and key committee activity, I invite you to visit my website at http://murphy.house.gov and sign up.