Chris Carney seek tax breaks for caregivers

July 11
Pa. reps seek tax break for caregiver

Congressmen’s bill would create $2,500 annual credit for relatives’ long-term care.

ANDREW M. SEDER aseder@timesleader.com

Two Pennsylvania congressmen have teamed up to introduce legislation aimed at creating a $2,500 annual tax credit for those giving long-term care to relatives or paying someone else to.

With the country’s residents living longer and health care costs climbing, the burden of caring for many seniors falls on their children, who often work and raise a family of their own.

U.S. Reps. Chris Carney, D-Dimock Township, and Todd Platts, R-York, co-sponsored the Caregiver Tax Relief Act of 2008 and introduced it Wednesday night in Washington. The bill has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee while additional co-sponsors and support are sought.

Though the bill would help those taking care of people of all ages that meet certain medical qualifications, the elderly population is the one Carney touched on the most Thursday.

“The way we take care of our seniors tells a lot about us as a community. Today, a lot of families are taking on the responsibility of caring for an aging parent. We should be helping these families in need, and helping seniors stay close to their loved ones. The Caregiver Tax Relief Act provides assistance to seniors and their families, and makes it easier for these families to stay together. This means helping a working mother who also cares for her elderly father, or making it easier for families to all chip in to pay for long-term care. I see families doing this every day, but caregivers also need to take care of themselves. This tax break makes care giving a little bit easier. I will fight to make sure this legislation becomes a reality,” said Carney.

Among those praising the idea is Margaret Yascur of Shavertown.

The 77-year-old said she could have used the financial aid when she took care of her ailing mother Anna Polisky. Her mother died in 1988, but Yascur said others currently in that position will find the tax credit useful.

“My mother lived with me and my family for about two years. It was definitely hard on us financially, but of course we would do everything we could for our mother,” the retired certified nurse’s aide said. “If we had had a tax credit, it could have helped out with all the extra expenses we had, and maybe we could have kept our family together longer. I’ve worked with Alzheimer’s patients living with their families, and it can be really difficult. I can see how this tax credit could be a huge help with all the good work they’re doing.”

Platts agreed.

“Individuals who take the responsibility to care for their loved ones are the unsung heroes of our health care system and save taxpayers millions of dollars every year,” Platts said. “This legislation will help keep families together and provides a small measure of relief to individuals and families making enormous personal sacrifices each and every day.”

Carney said the tax credit wouldn’t be a fix-all but would certainly alleviate the financial hardship many caregivers face on top of “the physical and emotional burdens.” He said he believes a person is best suited to be cared for by family members “rather than putting them in the hands of strangers.”