Infrastructure Plan Critical for Americans with Disabilities Given COVID-19 Impact; Lawmakers Should Avoid Compromising It
The ongoing pandemic has brought about a significant shift in the way we perceive caregiving, with President Biden's infrastructure plan playing a pivotal role in this transition.
The proposal, aimed at addressing the nation's infrastructure needs, places a strong emphasis on care services. It seeks to repair the holes in America's safety net exposed by the pandemic, offering improved working conditions for caregivers, and expanding access to home and community-based services.
One of the key aspects of the plan is the focus on alleviating burdens on professional caregivers. This includes increasing wages, offering paid sick leave, and overtime, measures that are expected to significantly improve the quality of care provided to the most vulnerable Americans.
However, the plan has faced opposition from some quarters. Republicans and moderate Democrats have expressed reservations, despite bipartisan support among the majority of Americans for increased support for Americans to age at home. Opponents question the definition and focus of the proposal, favouring "hard" infrastructure over caregiving.
The pandemic has cruelly exposed structural inequalities, with historically marginalized populations suffering more than the rest. It has also highlighted the plight of Americans with disabilities, who deserve better care, just like every other American. Pandemic-related deaths have been disproportionately high among long-term care residents, making up 34% of such deaths in America.
The strain on families, who brought loved ones home during the pandemic, has been immense. They have experienced increased stress, uncertainty, and even unemployment as they navigated the challenges of caregiving in the midst of a global health crisis.
Despite these challenges, there is a bipartisan majority that favours increased support for care infrastructure. This includes the expansion of the "Money Follows the Person" program, which aims to support care services in the home and community.
The pandemic has underscored the moral responsibility we have towards Americans with disabilities. COVID-19 proved that better infrastructure for this group is not just a matter of convenience, but a matter of life and death.
As the debate over President Biden's infrastructure plan continues, one thing is clear: improved working conditions for caregivers are a win-win situation, benefiting both caregivers and the people they care for. It is a step towards a more equitable, compassionate society that values the dignity and wellbeing of every individual.
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