Shutting Down Care: The Hostage Crisis Against Employed Caregivers

Your job. Your loved one's care. Both held hostage. The government shutdown isn't abstract—it's a direct assault on employed caregivers. As our Shutting Down Care Series reveals, politicians are weaponizing gridlock, putting millions of families at risk. It's time to fight back for your economic security and your right to care. #ShuttingDownCare #EmployedCaregivers #GovernmentShutdown #PWC

By Mark Fukae - Director of Advocacy - Professionals Who Care

The government shutdown isn't a lapse in funding - it's a calculated, violent threat against the economic stability of working families. For the 29 million employed caregivers who rely on a steady paycheck and health benefits, this political gridlock has turned into a hostage crisis. The system is confirming what we at PWC already know: it is fragile by design, and you are the first to suffer.

The crisis is hitting our community hard through two brutal mechanisms:

1. Permanent Job Cuts: The administration is issuing Reduction in Force (RIF) notices (permanent firings) to thousands of federal workers. For employed caregivers, losing that job means losing the financial ability to provide care—for a parent with Alzheimer's, a child with autism, or a spouse with a chronic illness. Care doesn't stop; it goes bankrupt.

2. Erosion of Protections: The chaos exposes the urgent need for codified workplace rights that protect your career while you provide essential care.

We are done being political pawns. We must demand immediate, structural fixes to protect the working family: the AUTO-CR to prevent future shutdowns, and the Universal Caregiver Bill of Rights to guarantee Predictable Pay and economic security across the care continuum.

Read the full analysis, including the specific policy failures and the complete blueprint for protecting the working caregiver, in our latest installment of the Shutting Down Care Series:

➡️ CONTINUE READING THE FULL SERIES: [https://open.substack.com/pub/therevenueneutralcaregiver/p/our-lives-on-hold-the-shutdown-is?r=6a52ih&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true]

PWC Call to Action:

Your job security is on the line. Join the only organization fighting to protect it.

* Professionals Who Care (PWC) is building the coalition for economic security and workplace protections for employed caregivers nationwide.

* Don't wait for the next crisis. Share your story, volunteer and join the movement today.