Bush Signs Bill To Establish Federal Program for Respite Care
President Bush on Thursday signed the Lifespan Respite Care Act, a bill (HR 3248) sponsored by Rep. Mike Ferguson (R-N.J.) that provides $289 million over five years for states to train volunteers and provide other services to family caregivers, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports.
Ferguson said, "This important law not only recognizes the selfless sacrifices made by millions of family caregivers but also sends them an important message -- help is on the way" (AP/Long Island Newsday, 12/22).