Family caregivers need relief

Tell Congress to pass the Credit for Caring Act To view this email as a web page, click [here.]( [Logo]( [Logo]( May 2021 [Caregiver with older family member.]( Breaking News: Family caregivers close to getting help Just this month, a bipartisan group of lawmakers introduced the Credit for Caring Act in Congress. The bill would create a new, nonrefundable tax credit up to $5,000 for working family caregivers who are struggling financially as they care for older parents, spouses, and other loved ones at home. These hard-working, unpaid, and often undervalued family caregivers are the backbone of an outdated long-term care system, and they desperately need help. Investing in family caregivers means they can make fewer income sacrifices, incur less debt, and have more money in their pockets — which in turn will help to offset costs on necessary medical expenses, like wheelchairs and grip bars, for their loved ones. The financial toll of family caregiving is growing, the Credit for Caring Act will help provide some aid. [Tell Congress: Grant family caregivers the relief they need.]( [Fix our long-term care system]( [Older adult using computer.]( End the digital divide The FCC estimates about 14 million Americans — 22 percent of those 65 and older — don't have access to a high-speed internet connection. And the COVID-19 pandemic has proved that access to the internet is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. We fought for the Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program so people don’t continue to miss out on the opportunity to learn virtually, find jobs or telework, or stay connected to friends and family. [Think you're eligible for Emergency Broadband Benefits? Find out how to get government-backed discounts for high-speed internet.]( [Apply for Emergency Broadband]( [Illustration of people in a socilaly distanced queue at the pharmacy]( Unfair Drug Prices It’s outrageous that Americans pay more than 3 times what people in other countries pay for the same medicine. Drug companies must be held accountable for charging these ouf-of-control prices. [Read more about a bill in Congress that will put an end to Big Pharma’s sweetheart deals.]( ACA Open Enrollment Extended to Aug. 15 Reminder that financial assistance is now available for anyone with an ACA marketplace plan, and you may be eligible regardless of your income. The special enrollment period, meant to help people who lost their health insurance because of job losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been extended to August 15. This means adults aged 50 to 64 who don't have access to coverage through their job and don't yet qualify for Medicare have more time to enroll or update their coverage. [Learn more about costs, coverage, subsidies, and how to sign up for a plan.]( [ACA Special Enrollment: August 15, 2021]( In the News [Our Long-Term Care System Is Killing Americans]( [AARP Launches New Digital Tool to Help Employers Build Age-Diverse Workforce]( [AARP Testifies Against Age Discrimination During the Pandemic]( TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE Age discrimination law can be complicated, let’s see how much you know! Which of the following actions by an employer in the workplace could be considered illegal? - A) Mentioning in job ads that they want to hire young workers - B) Forcing workers to retire at a certain age - C) Firing older workers for performance issues - D) Both A and B Scroll down for the answer We are AARP: John from Maryland [We are AARP]( John is a devoted husband who goes above and beyond every day taking care of his wife Jean, who has lived with MS for more than 20 years. Their son says, "her positive outlook on life is directly tied to John’s love for Jean." [Take a moment to read John's story of the love and dedication that goes into family caregiving.]( TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ANSWER D) Both A and B. According to the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) employers are generally prohibited from mentioning age in job advertisements and recruitment materials. [We’re fighting for protections against age discrimination in the workplace — join us!]( [Make a Donation]( [AARP Advocacy Facebook]( [AARP Advocacy Twitter]( [Unsubscribe from The AARP Advocate Newsletter]( | [Unsubscribe from all AARP e‑mails]( [AARP.org]( | [AARP Privacy Policy]( [© 2021]( AARP, All Rights Reserved | 601 E Street Nw, Washington, DC 20049 USA