Senators Speak About Paid Family Leave and Social Security Solvency

Last week, HCAOA CEO Vicki Hoak attended the ENGAGE reception honoring caregivers in Washington, D.C. ENGAGE is a bipartisan women’s organization that promotes economic security for all American women in the 21st century and recognizes that no matter who wins an election, the only path forward is working together. Also in attendance was Joanne Cunningham, CEO, Partnership for Quality Home Health and Calvin McDaniel, Government Affairs Director, NAHC.

During the event, AARP EVP and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond spoke about family caregivers and the need to support them.

A panel discussion followed with Pamela Brown, CNN Chief Investigative Correspondent and Anchor, moderating a conversation with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-LA) on caregivers, family paid medical leave, and Social Security. Both legislators said they felt that a bipartisan solution to ensure the solvency of Social Security will be found. 

Just days later Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D., (R-LA) and Senator Angus King (I-ME), who votes with the Democratic caucus,  announced in a joint statement that they are leading an effort aimed at bringing the parties together to "…preserve and protect the retirement security of all Americans now and long into the future."
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“The Social Security fund will be insolvent in less than a decade," Senators Cassidy and King said, adding that they "… are hearing out all possible pieces of that equation — like Ronald Reagan and Tip O’Neill did in 1983 — and leaning on a proven financial model to do so."