Around 17% of Iowans are ages 65 and older, and it’s critical we support these folks and help them navigate the challenges they face.
As I travel the state on my 99 County Tour, one issue I hear about often from our elderly population is the rising costs of health care, particularly prescription drugs. I’ve been working with Senator Grassley and my colleagues on a number of measures to lower costs, bring greater transparency to the prescription drug industry, and encourage American ingenuity in the development of new treatments and cures.
We also know the important role family caregivers play in ensuring their loved ones have access to the support they need, from the comfort of their own home. As individuals take on the added financial responsibilities of long-term care for their family members, I’ve introduced a bipartisan bill to ease the difficulties eligible working caregivers face while providing their loved ones with quality care. My Credit for Caring Act creates a non-refundable federal tax credit for eligible working family caregivers and is an important way to help relieve some of the financial burdens and the sacrifices these hardworking folks in Iowa and across the country have made to care for the people closest to them.
Lastly, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I made it a priority to ensure that our nursing homes and long-term care facilities have the resources and support they need to provide high quality care to residents both during and long after the pandemic.
