John,

In addition to the struggles of millions of families who seek quality, affordable child care, a lack of investment in our care economy has left aging adults and people with disabilities without the ability to remain in their homes and stay active in their communities.

And while care is incredibly expensive for those who need services, jobs in the care economy don’t pay a fair wage to the Black, Latina, Asian, and immigrant women who make up 90% of its workforce. Care workers have been excluded from worker protections for decades―and they’re still three times more likely to live in poverty compared to other workers.¹

The people who take care of us, our grandparents, children, and people with disabilities deserve to be paid a living wage with protections that match the dignity of the work they do.

President Biden has directed his administration to take steps to ensure that care workers receive a larger share of Medicaid payments, and to strengthen staffing requirements at nursing homes so staff aren’t stretched thin.[2] And, President Biden’s FY2025 budget calls for historic, permanent investments in our “care economy”―prioritizing child care, paid leave, services for people with disabilities and seniors, and more.

These investments will not only improve jobs for caregivers, but it will also improve patients' quality of life.

Join CHN Action in writing to your senators and representative to demand Congress invest in our care economy.

Thank you for all you do,

Meredith Dodson
Senior Director of Public Policy, CHN Action

¹ Domestic Workers Chartbook 2022
² A Proclamation on Care Workers Recognition Month, 2024

-- DEBORAH'S EMAIL --

John,

April is Care Workers Recognition Month and the Month of Action on Care.

Child care costs are skyrocketing, daycare centers are closing, families continue to struggle without access to paid leave, and there are long waiting lists for home care for aging and disabled adults. The workers who provide direct care are paid far too little, and high rent, food, and utility costs are reducing economic security for millions of low- and middle-income people.

President Joe Biden’s FY2025 budget includes historic investments in child care, home and community based services, paid family leave, and increasing pay for care workers.

We need permanent solutions and investments in our care economy. Our population is aging. If we don’t respond, we will swamp families and undermine our economic security, widening racial, gender, and income disparities.

Send a direct message to Congress now demanding they make robust, permanent investments in our care economy.

The Biden budget recognizes that when families have paid leave and child care, aging and disabled people receive direct care at home, and care workers are paid fairly, family well-being rises and the whole economy benefits.

At a rally earlier this month, President Biden stressed these budgetary improvements:¹

“My budget for next year makes key commitments to children, seniors, and people with disabilities, and to caregivers who look after their loved ones. First, for working families with small children, we’re going to guarantee affordable, quality childcare. Most families — under our plan, most families will pay less than $10 a day per child, saving millions of folks as much as $7,000 a year. That’s a lot of breathing room for…young families who need it badly.

“Second, seniors and people with disabilities, we’re going to expand Medicaid homecare services and reduce that 700,000-person backlog. That’ll mean more folks can live and work in their own communities with dignity and independence. More homecare workers will start getting [better pay] and benefits and dignity they deserve.”

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed just how perilous and unsustainable our care economy is, with rural, low-income, and communities of color feeling the brunt of lack of investments.

Caring for our seniors, disabled neighbors and family, and investing in our children is essential for a prosperous future. So is decent pay for our essential care workers.

Join us in calling on Congress to make permanent, robust investments into the care economy today. Take action today!

Thank you for all you do,

Deborah Weinstein
Executive Director, CHN Action

¹ Remarks by President Biden on the Care Economy | Washington, D.C.