In October 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a speech at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, sharing her vision for the "care economy." This presentation, suggesting collaboration with philanthropist Melinda French-Gates, aimed to address the infrastructure supporting caregiving in the United States.
The need for a robust care system has been highlighted since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as was outlined in articles by Gregg Gonsalves and Amy Kapczynski of Yale University in the Boston Review. They emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive care framework to support communities during health crises—a sentiment echoed by the current administration’s recent initiatives.
In 2020, Gonsalves and Kapczynski proposed the creation of a "public health corps" to aid communities throughout the pandemic and fortify national health from the ground up, with caregiving at its core. This proposal came amid a growing awareness of a "care crisis" that had been prevalent before COVID-19, affecting child and elder care systems and family leave policies.
With both Harris and French-Gates entering the conversation, this provides a platform to push for transformative policy changes. However, there is recognition of the challenge ahead, as economic considerations pose significant barriers. The Boston Consulting Group has estimated potential massive economic losses if these issues are not addressed, highlighting a need for immediate action.
Discussions around caregiving intersect with broader societal and economic challenges, comparable in urgency to the conversation about global warming, indicating potential long-term implications for societal well-being and environmental health. Although Vice President Harris and French-Gates have not yet vocalized their stance on these broader implications, the dialogue appears to be shifting toward a more inclusive policy framework.
Meanwhile, conservative groups have also recognized strains on American families, suggesting alternative strategies to address the crisis, albeit with differing priorities and influences, notably drawing from policies modeled after Hungary’s approach under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The current discourse presents a pivotal opportunity to shape a comprehensive, inclusive vision of care that extends beyond immediate family dynamics to encompass broader societal needs. This ongoing dialogue could significantly impact future policy directions aimed at creating an economy that prioritizes care and supports diverse communities.
