Why we’re optimistic about care advocacy in 2025

Dear families, caregivers, and advocates,

This election season has highlighted what so many of us know to be true: caregiving is not just a personal challenge, it's a national one. Americans across the political spectrum are calling for solutions to the rising costs, limited access, and overwhelming strain that caregiving places on families. This growing demand was reflected on the presidential campaign trail, where caregiving took center stage in the national dialogue like never before, underscoring its potential to transcend party lines and unite leaders around meaningful solutions.

Care is a bipartisan issue. While people may have mixed emotions following the outcome of the election, our goal remains the same: pursuing and improving policies that alleviate the issues of cost and accessibility in the care industry. For example, we have recently been collaborating with Senators Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) on their bipartisan package to bring down costs through expanded tax credits for care and creating a pathway for a stronger child care workforce.

We are also ready to work with the incoming administration. During their campaign, President Donald Trump and Vice President-elect J.D. Vance voiced their support for improved tax credits to assist unpaid family caregivers of both children and seniors, subsidies to support informal child care arrangements that give families more choice, and reducing the barriers for caregivers entering the workforce. At Care.com, we want to turn these conversations to action, push even further for robust support systems worthy of America's hard-working families and caregivers, and create real, lasting change.

As we look ahead to 2025, we're doubling down on our advocacy efforts. The new year offers a renewed opportunity to drive meaningful change and make caregiving a centerpiece of policy discussions. In January, Congress will be considering tax policy as they address the upcoming expiration of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We are working hard to ensure families' interests are at the forefront of these discussions. As part of these efforts, we have already begun conversations with the Ways and Means Republican Tax Teams about critical care-focused tax policies, including the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care Assistance Programs, and the Employer-Provided Child Care Tax Credit.

To those who are uncertain about what lies ahead, know that we have hope. Together, we can turn caregiving from a challenge into a shared opportunity for progress. Let's make 2025 a year of action, advocacy, and reform for the families and caregivers who need it most.

With determination,

Brad Wilson

CEO, Care.com