Advocacy
Caregivers serve as the invisible frontline of our nation’s healthcare system– providing compassionate care to tens of millions of people each year – and yet systems to support them are fragmented, inaccessible, and oftentimes nonexistent.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
We can change it, together.
RCI’s advocacy efforts seek to redesign structures and systems to proactively center caregivers’ health and wellbeing.
Centering Caregivers at the Federal Level
Despite a wide array of caregiver support programs scattered across the federal government, caregivers often struggle to navigate a disjointed system, fail to qualify for the types of benefits they need, and find that the resources available to them are not sufficient or timely.
Recognizing the need for better systems of support for America’s 53 million caregivers, our founder, Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter made a bold proposal: establish a new Office of Caregiver Health within the federal government to elevate and center caregivers like never before.
– Rosalynn Carter
Office of Caregiver Health
Establishing a federal office focused on the health and wellbeing of caregivers would demonstrate the commitment of the federal government to acknowledging caregivers and their invaluable contributions to our nation’s health and economy.
An Office of Caregiver Health would elevate and focus unprecedented federal representation, investment, and coordination of caregiver support across federal agencies. Leadership at this level would ensure that family caregivers are represented in health policy, regulation, program, and budget negotiations. A centralized office can dismantle silos that are barriers to progress by creating ways to consider the universal needs of caregivers, regardless of care recipient condition and payer. With a focus on family caregivers, the Office of Caregiver Health could coordinate programs, reduce complexity, prevent duplication, and offer caregivers a clear point of entry for resources and supports.
Invisible Until the Pandemic, Family Caregivers Are Now on the Front lines
Office of Caregiver Health Support Letter to the White House
Add your organization/sign-on to the letter of support for the Office of Caregiver Health.
We greatly appreciate your support on this initiative.
Advocating for Change
Family caregivers represent a powerful constituency, capable of making meaningful impact. Together, we can build robust systems of support that truly meets caregiver needs, regardless of where they are in their journey. We can advocate for a world where every caregiver has access to financial support, respite, mental health services, support from a well-compensated care workforce, and so much more.
Together, we can build a better future for caregivers.
Join the 4Kinds Network
RCI’s caregiver advocacy and peer-support network. Through the 4Kinds Network, RCI is mobilizing former and current caregivers to harness their collective power so that they may be recognized, respected, and resourced in all the ways they deserve.
Advocacy and Action
Jennifer Olsen to Leave Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers After Six Transformative Years
Jennifer Olsen to Leave Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers After Six Transformative Years Paurvi Bhatt, current President and
Comments on CMS Physician Fee Schedule by the Rosalynn Carter Institute & The Carter Center Mental Health Program
The Honorable Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, Administrator Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Department of Health and Human Services Attention: CMS-17
Rosalynn Carter’s Birthday: Celebrations Planned to Honor A Life Dedicated to Caring
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers is excited to partner once again with the Friends of Jimmy Carter National Historic Park
President Biden’s Executive Order on Care First Anniversary
Today we commemorate the first anniversary of the Biden-Harris Executive Order on Increasing Access to High-Quality Care and Supporting
Statement from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers on the Credit for Caring Act
“In line with our mission to promote the health, strength, and resilience of America’s 53 million family caregivers, the Rosalynn
Honoring Rosalynn Carter’s Legacy by Prioritizing Caregivers
Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter’s caregiving journey began early in life, when she helped care for her father when
The Rosalynn Carter Institute and The Carter Center Respond to the 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
The Rosalynn Carter Institute (RCI) and The Carter Center Mental Health Program (CC-MHP) work together to advance former First
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers and ATI Advisory Release Recommendations on CMMI’s New GUIDE Model for Dementia Care
AMERICUS, GA (September 6, 2023) — On July 31, 2023, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) released
President Biden’s Executive Order on Care
On April 18, RCI joined other care advocates at the White House to watch President Biden sign the most
Statement on Biden-Harris Administration Executive Actions to Improve Care
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers responds to President Biden’s executive actions to improve systems of care Americus, GA
The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers Hosted a Convening in Atlanta to Elevate Caregivers and Explore the Future of Caregiving
The one-day event featured compelling storytellers, national leaders, and grassroots advocates, all sharing novel approaches to caregiver support ATLANTA
Statement from the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers on the release of the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers
“We commend the important work that went into developing the 2022 National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers and we recognize
Other RCI Resources
Our Programs
Caregiving can be a fulfilling journey, but it can also be challenging – resulting in significant mental, physical, and financial strain on the caregiver.
Strategic Initiatives
Through a portfolio of research projects and strategic initiatives, RCI is working to answer key questions about caregiver demographics, health, needs, and existing supports.
WORKING WHILE CARING
One in five full time employees is also providing care for someone who is aging, ill, disabled, outside of thier paid job