Medicaid Cuts Could Force More Kids to Become Caregivers

by Lisa McCarty – Time –

When I was just 13-years-old, my mother suffered a traumatic brain injury at work, and I was forced to become her caregiver. No one came to help us; there was no support system in place, and it all fell on me. Over the next several years, I helped her to function with daily tasks like standing, walking, dressing, eating, managing doctor’s appointments, and even paying the bills. I was the parent, she was the child. I’m not alone. According to The National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) and AARP, there are over 5.4 million children in the U.S., especially girls, currently caring for chronically ill and disabled family members.

Last month, the GOP announced new proposed healthcare cuts as part of a $200 billion dollar budget bill to fund military operations and expenses for the war in Iran. This could put additional strain on younger family members to become caregivers before they turn 18.

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