FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 29, 2021

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Sen. Patty Murray, Care Policy Experts, and Community Advocates Say Build Back Better Must Pass to Improve America’s Care Economy 

Sen. Murray: “Falling short on caregiving is perpetuating sexism and racism, and has long harmed workers of color and women, and held our economy back from its potential.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Senator Patty Murray joined Health Care Voter Executive Director Laura Packard, The Century Foundation Senior Fellow and Director for Women’s Economic Justice Julie Kashen, Caring Across Generations Senior Director of Advocacy Diann Rust-Tierney, and MomsRising member Deborah Purce to discuss the need for historic investments in America’s care economy that can be achieved by passing the reconciliation package currently being debated in Congress.

A new report from The Century Foundation grades all 50 states and Washington, D.C. on a range of care policies based on the laws they have in place to meet their residents’ care needs. No state received higher than a “B” grade, and 35 states received a “D” or below. This comes as Congress works to pass crucial care economy policies including paid family and medical leave, comprehensive child care, universal preschool, and significant funding for home and community-based services as part of the Biden administration’s Build Back Better agenda.

Key quotes from speakers:

“When it comes to caregiving policies, the United States simply is not making the grade…This report makes clear: falling short on caregiving is perpetuating sexism and racism, and has long harmed workers of color and women, and held our economy back from its potential.” – Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.)

“It’s so important to do something about this right now. With Build Back Better, we have a chance to build the care economy, so when people find themselves in times of need they’re able to get the care they need just like I was.” – Health Care Voter Executive Director Laura Packard

“As a country, we have failed to acknowledge the realities, needs, and pressures of care and caregiving—treating it as an individual battle rather than a collective problem with collective solutions. The Biden administration, champions in Congress, moms, dads, grandparents, early educators, seniors, people with disabilities, and members of the sandwich generation have all recognized the need for comprehensive public policies to address these challenges.” – The Century Foundation Senior Fellow and Director for Women’s Economic Justice Julie Kashen

“As Congress considers how to Build Back Better, we have to make sure that no one is left behind…We have to make sure that caregivers are paid fairly so that they are able to care, not only for our loved ones and ourselves, but for themselves and for their families.” – Caring Across Generations Senior Director of Advocacy Diann Rust-Tierney

“We have sat on long waitlists and stretched our budget…The pandemic added a whole new level of stress to our struggles…I am exhausted from the uncertainty and it feels like lawmakers don’t know what we’re facing.” – MomsRising member Deborah Purce