Unpaid Caregiving in the U.S. Reaches $1 Trillion, Straining Families and Workforces
A Washington Post profile of a mother caring for her daughter with Angelman syndrome highlights the personal toll of long-term caregiving. This individual story reflects a broader national crisis: new data shows 63 million Americans provide unpaid care, valued at over $1 trillion annually. While this unpaid labor exceeds total Medicaid spending, caregivers face financial strain, workplace disruptions, and fragmented support systems, prompting calls for better policy and employer flexibility.