To amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a lifespan respite care program.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6160, a bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the Lifespan Respite Care Program led by Representatives Molinaro and Cardenas.

There are more than 53 million family caregivers in the United States. For many, caregiving is a 24/7 job. While it can be very rewarding, it can also be emotionally and physically challenging. Respite care, the opportunity to temporarily entrust the care of loved ones to someone else, is one of the most frequently reported unmet needs of caregivers. Respite care can be provided in a variety of settings, including the home, adult daycare centers, or residential care facilities.

By providing temporary relief for caregivers, respite care helps to reduce the mental stress and physical health issues that caregivers might experience. In doing so, respite care also decreases the need for professional long-term care and allows people who require care to remain at home.

This bill reauthorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Program operated by the Administration for Community Living. This program empowers State systems to provide accessible community-based respite care services which can contribute to the health and well-being of both caregivers and care recipients.

This important program provides much-needed relief to caregivers and helps to improve the availability of respite services to families across the age and disability spectrums.

I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 6160, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to the time remaining.

Mr. Speaker, let me just say that respite care is obviously very important, and this bill goes a long way toward dealing with that. I would ask all my colleagues to support it, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman not only for her leadership but for her support of this legislation as well.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 6160, the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act.

As we know, over 48 million Americans are caring for someone over the age of 18. Recent reports from the AARP have shown that caregivers have reported increases in stress levels and a decline in overall health.

Respite services offer families much-needed temporary care or supervision for children and adults of all ages with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

As the parent of an adult child with a developmental disability, I know firsthand the value of respite care. Having interacted with many respite care workers, I know how important their work is and how they deserve greater respect and more support.

My bill authorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Program through fiscal year 2029 to provide States with Federal funding to continue to offer these essential services and provide relief to our caregivers.

Authorized by Congress in 2006, the Lifespan Respite Care Program has been a lifeline for our caregivers and provides them with critical assistance so they can recharge and meet their family's needs.

Family caregivers are often the unsung heroes who make personal sacrifices to care for their loved ones. I am proud to work alongside my colleagues to pass this bipartisan Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act and continue to provide caregivers with relief and assistance so they can lead a balanced life while tending to their loved ones.

I would like to extend my appreciation to Congressman Cardenas for his support of this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense bipartisan bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6160) to amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize a lifespan respite care program, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material in the Record on the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6160, led by Mr. Molinaro, which reauthorizes the Lifespan Respite Care Program administered by the Administration For Community Living.

This program helps support State systems to provide community-based respite care services to family caregivers tending to children and adults with disabilities and chronic conditions.

There are about 53 million family caregivers in the United States, more than 5 million who are parents or guardians caring for children with special healthcare needs.

Many family caregivers have unmet respite needs, and studies show that increasing respite accessibility can decrease burnout rates and help individuals continue caregiving.

Reauthorizing the Lifespan Respite Care Program will continue vital resources for family caregivers so they can operate at their highest potential.

I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Molinaro), the prime sponsor of this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.