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AARP is supporting bipartisan legislation on Capitol Hill that could provide some financial relief to the growing number of adults who care for aging parents. The Lowering Costs for

Caregivers Act was introduced May 1 by U.S. Sens. Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) and Bill Cassidy (R-L.A.). It would allow caregivers to use their tax-free flexible spending or health savings accounts

(FSAs and HSAs) to pay for qualified medical expenses of their parent or parent-in-law. Under existing law, FSAs and HSAs can be used only to pay for one's own medical expenses or

those of a spouse or for expenses incurred by dependents claimed on their taxes. The proposed bill would broaden that eligibility to include parents and parents-in-law, regardless of whether

they are claimed as dependents. JOIN OUR FIGHT FOR CAREGIVERS Sign up to become part of AARP's online advocacy network and help family caregivers get the support they need. Nancy

LeaMond, AARP chief advocacy and engagement officer, said in a letter to the bill's sponsors on May 1, that the bipartisan legislation would help alleviate the financial challenges that

millions of family caregivers experience every day, especially those in the “sandwich generation” who are caring for their parents and their own children.​ “Allowing caregivers to use the

hard-earned dollars they have saved for health expenses to care for their parents is not only the right approach from a fiscal perspective, it reflects our cherished American values of

family and self-reliance,” LeaMond wrote. People taking care of a loved one spend an average of more than $7,200 a year out of their own pocket on caregiving, an AARP survey found. In

January, Representatives Vern Buchanan (R-FL) and Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced companion legislation to the Senate bill. LEARN HOW AARP IS FIGHTING FOR YOU AARP is your fierce defender on

the issues that matter to people 50-plus. Read more bout how we fight for you every day in Congress and across the country. ADVOCATING FOR CAREGIVING AARP has long fought for laws and

policies that would offer more support to the nation’s over 48 million family caregivers. Family caregivers provide an estimated $600 billion in unpaid labor each year. They help with

everything from meals and medical care to bathing, dressing, providing transportation and more. AARP is also supporting bipartisan legislation that would provide a federal tax credit of up

to $5,000 a year to help eligible working family caregivers defray the costs of caring for a spouse or other loved one with long-term needs. The Credit for Caregiving Act was reintroduced in

Congress in March. AARP is also seeking similar tax breaks at the state level, such as one proposed in Illinois, which would give eligible caregivers a non-refundable tax credit for

expenses like home care aides and home modifications. AARP also offers support and information for family caregivers as they navigate those responsibilities, including our financial

caregiving guide. Learn more about AARP's resources for family caregivers.