Bipartisan bill lessens administrative burdens for family caregivers, makes it easier for Arizonans to receive services and assistance
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema cosponsored the Alleviating Barriers to Caregiving (ABC) Act – new bipartisan legislation ensuring federal agencies review their eligibility, processes, procedures, forms, and communications to cut red tape and make it easier for family caregivers to receive services and assistance.
“Caregiving is often a full time job, with many family members putting their lives on hold to tend to sick loved ones. Our bipartisan bill makes it easier for caregivers to access the services and assistance they need to care for loved ones, rather than battling red tape and paperwork,” said Sinema.
The ABC Act would require the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Social Security Administration (SSA), and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to align eligibility criteria and applications for programs and grant funding for caregiving programs to reduce barriers for family caregivers.
Arizona’s aging demographic, larger veteran population, and cultural demographics often mean family caregivers are providing much of the care and supportive services. Dealing with administrative burdens is expected to rise across the state due to the increase in programs designed to help family caregivers – all of which can contain different eligibility criteria or duplicative processes.
One in four family caregivers want help with forms, paperwork, and eligibility for services. Sinema’s bipartisan bill cuts red tape to make it easier for these individuals and families to navigate and receive services and assistance.