An estimated annual $19.6 billion in uncompensated Michigan caregiving

From ace reporter Anna Liz Nichols at MichiganAdvance…

The Caring for MI Family Tax Credit is one of the proposals under Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s recommendations for the state’s next budget and would afford caregivers tax relief of up to $5,000.

“That work is almost always uncompensated. … It is not always visible in policy in terms of how we respond to the needs of caregivers, things that caregiving requires so that people can do it,” [Michigan Lt Gov Garlin] Gilchrist said. “Caregivers are a critical infrastructure to life, to success, to wellbeing, to stability, and we need to make sure that they are really supported.”

“These are people who care for their loved ones and use their own dollars for out of pocket expenses, grandparents taking care of grandchildren, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, mothers daughter taking care of those who they love,” [state director of AARP Michigan Paula] Cunningham said. “They don’t do this for the money, they do it because of their commitment to their family members and … their loved ones.”

Although the majority of the readers of this community were hatched from reptile eggs, I’m sure there are those among us who are part of this uncompensated, unofficial nursing team (if you aren’t, I wouldn’t ever wish it on you). Talk about tough; you’re constantly in damage-control mode. At least with the state’s proposal, this monthly USD$416.00 largesse could help with, for example, occasional outside care so you can do stupid stuff…like take a shower or grocery shop or talk to someone.

Otherwise, you know, we could always demand the dismantling of the trillion-dollar racket known as “American health insurance” and maybe shoot for a system proposed back in 2003 by the late representative John Conyers (D-MI) that would cover most of these needs…? No, I get it…y’alls too busy checking…