Policy Changes Reshaping Family Caregiving

Policy Changes Reshaping Family Caregiving

From Health Affairs This Week by Health Affairs

May 27, 2026 · 23 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the economic and social importance of family caregiving and recent policy changes affecting it.

Welcome to a new, limited podcast series exploring major policy changes affecting older adults. This episode is part of our Age-Friendly Health series, which explores topics at the intersection of aging, health, health care, and health policy. In our third and final episode for the series in 2026, host Katherine Ornstein welcomes Alison Barkoff of George Washington University to the program to discuss the rising economic and social importance of family caregiving, recent federal policy shifts affecting Medicaid and caregiver programs, and new interventions at the state and private‑sector levels. Support for the Age-Friendly Health series is provided by The John A. Hartford Foundation . Related Links: Reflections On Caregiving Policy: Progress, Challenges, And Opportunities ( Health Affairs Forefront ) History Repeats? Faced With Medicaid Cuts, States Reduced Support For Older Adults And Disabled People ( Health Affairs Forefront ) Long Term Services and Supports Initiative National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers Nation Alliance for Caregiving's Caregiver Nation Coalition

People in this episode

Host: Katherine Ornstein

Guest: Alison Barkoff

Topics covered

  • family caregiving
  • policy changes
  • Medicaid
  • aging
  • health care
  • interventions

Keywords

  • family caregiving
  • Medicaid
  • health policy
  • older adults
  • state interventions
  • private sector

Sponsors

The John A. Hartford Foundation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: George Washington University

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