Pallone Held a Virtual Conversation with Caregivers to Highlight the Need to Pass the American Jobs Plan
Long Branch, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today held a virtual conversation with caregivers in New Jersey to discuss the importance of investing in the infrastructure of our care economy. President Biden’s American Jobs Plan includes $400 billion for home and community-based care, which will allow individuals to receive the care they need in their homes and communities while creating jobs and raising wages and benefits for caregiving workers – many of whom are women of color that are often underpaid and undervalued.
“Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, help is here: the economy is growing faster than at any time in the last 40 years, and more than half of U.S. adults are now vaccinated. But far too many people are still out of work and we cannot afford to let up in our efforts to crush the virus and create jobs,” said Pallone. “Investing in caregiving will help get Americans back to work, create good-paying jobs, raise wages, boost lifetime earnings, support small businesses, and grow our economy for all Americans. I’m grateful for the work caregivers provide every day, and I’ll continue to fight for them in Congress.”
“I’ve been a certified nursing assistant for over 20 years and taking care of my residents is my pride and joy. We’re like family to each other. I love my job, but it is extremely challenging physically and emotionally. I work a second job to make ends meet, and often pick up extra shifts so I can pay my bills. It’s not right that health care workers like us have some of the most difficult and dangerous jobs there are, but we can’t afford to live,” said Margaret Boyce, SEIU 1199 Member and Certified Nursing Assistant in Edison. “Without investing in better health care jobs, workers don’t stay in the industry and ultimately it’s our patients who suffer, too.”
Video of the conversation is available here. More information about the American Jobs Plan is available here.
Original source can be found here.
