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
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HCBA LAWYER