HR3248DEC8

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Week Ending December 8, 2006

H.R.3248 To amend the Public Health Service Act to establish a program to assist family caregivers in accessing affordable and high-quality respite care, and for other purposes.

Funds would be made available as grants to an agency, organization or political subdivision with which they can develop lifespan respite care at the state and local levels, provide respite care services for family caregivers for children and adults, train and recruit respite care workers and volunteers, provide information to caregivers about service available and help caregivers gain access to those services.

Respite care is defined to mean planned or emergency care provided to a child or adult with special need to provide temporary relief to the family caregiver. A special need means requiring care of supervision to meet the person’s basic needs; prevent physical self-injury or injury to others. Special need includes care that will help the recipient avoid placement in and institutional facility.

The five year grants can be used to train family caregivers, for services essential to the provision or respite care and for training and education of new caregivers.

Funds are also available through the bill to establish the National Resource Center on Lifespan Respite Care where a national database would be maintained and state, community and non-profits can get respite care training. The Center would also provide referral, information and educational programs to the public on lifetime respite care.

Sponsor: Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-NJ-7^th)

Vote: Passed House by voice vote December 5. Passed Senate by Unanimous Consent December 6, 2006.

Cost to the taxpayers: The bill authorizes $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2007; $40,000,000 for fiscal year 2008; $53,330,000 for fiscal year 2009; $71,110,000 for fiscal year 2010; and $94,810,000 for fiscal year 2011.'.

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