Care Economy Leaders, Congresswomen Simon, Dingell, and Pettersen Introduce Resolution Designating April as Care Workers Recognition Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, the Democratic Women's Caucus Caregiving Task Force co-chairs Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07) introduced a resolution establishing April as Care Workers Recognition Month to honor the roles and contributions of care workers.

"Care workers are the backbone of our nation, our economy, and our future. For FAR too long, they have been under recognized, undervalued, underpaid, underappreciated - the list goes on. That's why my fellow Democratic Women's Caucus Caregiving Task Force Co-Chairs and I are joining together to introduce a Congressional resolution recognizing April as Care Worker Month," said Congresswoman Simon. "This is just a first step towards recognizing the importance of care workers and building a new world that properly values, gives dignity to, and adequately supports and protects care workers."

"Caregiving is a core part of our economy," said Congresswoman Dingell. "But we have a caregiving crisis in this country with millions on waiting lists to get the care they need, and an increasing number of people unable to afford it. And those who work as caregivers are not being paid fairly for their critical role. That is why it is important to recognize and honor care workers and the crucial work they do, because caregiving makes all other work is possible. When your loved ones are cared for, you can focus on the job that has to be done."

"Our caregivers do some of the most important but underappreciated work in our country - everything from cooking meals, to providing early childhood enrichment programs, administering medications, paying bills, and driving loved ones to frequent medical appointments. But that care can take a toll. That is why I am joining my colleagues to introduce this resolution recognizing Care Worker Month, because recognition is a small first step we can take to make sure they get the appreciation they deserve. Recognition alone doesn't pay the bills or lower costs - we have to keep working to ensure every caregiver can access the resources and the real support they need," said Congresswoman Pettersen.

You can find the full text of the Care Worker Recognition Month resolution HERE.

Ensuring equitable access to care and strengthening the care economy are top priorities for Congresswoman Simon in the House of Representatives. In December, Congresswomen Simon, Dingell, and Petterson launched the Democratic Women's Caucus Caregiving Task Force to address problems in the caregiving economy and protect and strengthen America's care economy by advancing policies that uplift caregivers, those they care for, and their families. The Caregiving Task Force Co-Chairs recently demanded Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy withdraw a rule that undermines childcare access and jeopardizes the financial stability of women and families as well as childcare providers.

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