HCBA Lawyer Magazine Vol. 28, No. 4 | Page 28

raise aCt to give Caregivers the voiCe they need Health Care law Section Chairs: T.J. Ferrante – Foley & Lardner LLP & Kevin Rudolph – Shriners Hospital for Children A n estimated 37 billion hours are spent each year by caregivers in the United States preparing meals, managing medication, helping with bathing and dressing, scheduling medical appointments, providing transportation, and helping with financial and legal matters. 1 With the recently passed S.1028, RAISE (Recognize, Assist, Include Support, and Engage) Family Caregivers Act, which President Trump signed into law in January, the U.S. is finally recognizing family caregivers and striving to give them a voice among healthcare providers. The new law will require the Secretary of Health and Human information, Services to relying on work with an insight from advisory council the private consisting of sector to best 15 voting prepare the non-federal public sector employees. to act. States The advisory across the council should country are include family praising their caregivers; senators for individuals supporting with disabilities; the good news for the bill. workers in Across health care, caregivers is that the pond in social service, help is on the way the United and other long- Kingdom, term services; in america. home “carer” and support programs providers. 2 The are well council will also established. 3 One of the main include non-voting federal employees from governmental benefits is the “Carer’s Allowance,” agencies such as CMS and which is currently £62.70 a week, Veterans Affairs. plus a £10 Christmas bonus in RAISE calls for promoting December. That’s almost $90 a family caregivers and recognizing week. The Carer must provide at both the economic and emotional least 35 hours a week for the same value of their services. The law, person. The 35 hours can include: which enjoyed bi-partisan support, Continued on page 27 is aimed at gathering and sharing © Can Stock Photo / AndreyPopov Health Care Law Section CLE the health Care law section received a timely overview on medical marijuana at their Cle on december 6. speakers Jason Cetel and sunny levine with grayrobinson presented an overview of florida’s industry; the current state of the law; requirements for doctors to recommend medical marijuana to patients; and general compliance concerns and liability risks under state and federal law. thank you to the luncheon’s sponsor: 26 MAR - APR 2018 | HCBA LAWYER