Nation's Care Crisis: When Families Need Affordable Family Care, Voters Support Candidates.
In the latest elections, voters sent a clear message: when it comes to affordable family care, candidates who champion its importance are rewarded with victory. Democratic candidates Zohran Mamdani, Mikie Sherrill, and Abigail Spanberger won high-profile races by putting reducing childcare costs at the center of their platforms.
As the US grapples with an affordability crisis, families across the country are feeling the squeeze from rising costs on everything from housing to groceries. But one pressing issue is often overlooked: care, including child care, older adult care, and disability care. Rising income inequality and a widening wealth gap have contributed to a care crisis that disproportionately affects women and families.
Economist Matthew Nestler notes that the care economy has become one of the stickiest sources of inflation in the US, with prices for home and community-based care increasing more than three times the pace of overall inflation since January 2024. In many states, the cost of caring for children has outpaced even housing and healthcare costs.
For working parents, particularly mothers, the impact is devastating. Polls from the Century Foundation show that women are having a harder time finding good-quality jobs due to care responsibilities and unaffordable options. Families are trapped between impossible choices: stay home and lose income or work just to pay for care.
These elections demonstrate that the US's affordability crisis is indeed a care crisis. Voters across party lines are demanding solutions, and candidates who prioritize care as a foundational economic issue are winning.
Leaders like Mamdani, Sherrill, and Spanberger are showing that putting care at the center of politics is common sense. Investing in care supports both families and the economy, enabling parents to participate in the workforce, providing paid leave for workers and families, and ensuring access to home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities.
As states like New Mexico, Connecticut, Washington, Colorado, California, and Rhode Island continue to innovate in their approach to care policies and support, it's clear that a sustained public investment in care is essential. Raising wages for care workers, expanding affordable childcare options, and ensuring equitable access to care across different stages of life are crucial steps towards addressing the country's affordability crisis.
In the latest elections, voters sent a clear message: when it comes to affordable family care, candidates who champion its importance are rewarded with victory. Democratic candidates Zohran Mamdani, Mikie Sherrill, and Abigail Spanberger won high-profile races by putting reducing childcare costs at the center of their platforms.
As the US grapples with an affordability crisis, families across the country are feeling the squeeze from rising costs on everything from housing to groceries. But one pressing issue is often overlooked: care, including child care, older adult care, and disability care. Rising income inequality and a widening wealth gap have contributed to a care crisis that disproportionately affects women and families.
Economist Matthew Nestler notes that the care economy has become one of the stickiest sources of inflation in the US, with prices for home and community-based care increasing more than three times the pace of overall inflation since January 2024. In many states, the cost of caring for children has outpaced even housing and healthcare costs.
For working parents, particularly mothers, the impact is devastating. Polls from the Century Foundation show that women are having a harder time finding good-quality jobs due to care responsibilities and unaffordable options. Families are trapped between impossible choices: stay home and lose income or work just to pay for care.
These elections demonstrate that the US's affordability crisis is indeed a care crisis. Voters across party lines are demanding solutions, and candidates who prioritize care as a foundational economic issue are winning.
Leaders like Mamdani, Sherrill, and Spanberger are showing that putting care at the center of politics is common sense. Investing in care supports both families and the economy, enabling parents to participate in the workforce, providing paid leave for workers and families, and ensuring access to home and community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities.
As states like New Mexico, Connecticut, Washington, Colorado, California, and Rhode Island continue to innovate in their approach to care policies and support, it's clear that a sustained public investment in care is essential. Raising wages for care workers, expanding affordable childcare options, and ensuring equitable access to care across different stages of life are crucial steps towards addressing the country's affordability crisis.
. I mean, who wouldn't want a break from work to take care of their kiddos or elderly fam members? It's crazy that we're still dealing with this affordability crisis - like, shouldn't our politicians be working on this already? 
But seriously, it's heartening to see candidates prioritizing care as an economic issue. We need more leaders like Zohran Mamdani, Mikie Sherrill, and Abigail Spanberger who get it 
. And I'm loving the fact that states are innovating on their care policies - maybe we'll see some real change soon? 
its like the US cant afford basic things anymore & theyre callin it a "care" crisis lol like care for who? fams r losin their minds tryin to balance work & childcare & healthcare & groceries prices are thru the roof its all so whack 
it's like, what's next? a 10k month rent just for someone to watch your kid for 8 hours a day 
anyway back to these politicians who actually care about this stuff... they're not just talking the talk 
, they're making moves 
especially with the increase in inflation and all, it's like we need some serious support ASAP 
she's turning 8 and I'm so proud of her! Anyway, back to this care crisis... it's crazy how important childcare costs are. You know what's even crazier? The prices of food nowadays! Like, have you tried the new avocado toast trend? $15 for a slice of toast is outrageous 
Families need affordable family care or else they can't even have families 
! Voters want candidates who care about their kids 
and help them find affordable childcare options 
, not just expensive ones that leave parents stressed 
but totally ignored family care 
. Leaders like Zohran Mamdani, Mikie Sherrill, and Abigail Spanberger are finally listening 
and promising to fix this problem 
! We gotta make family care affordable for everyone 
. and yeah, we need more innovation in states like nm & ct - they're leading the way with some solid policies 
! As a parent myself, I know how hard it can be to balance work and family responsibilities 
. We don't have to choose between paying the bills or putting our kids in quality care 
. Let's get behind these candidates who are pushing for change and create a better future for families like mine 
the whole country is feeling the squeeze and families r getting hit hard from housing costs to groceries but care prices are like waaaay out of control 
It's like, yeah, affordable childcare is great and all, but what about affordable housing, food, healthcare... all that other stuff that affects people's lives too?
. We need more leaders who are willing to listen and get creative with solutions. So, yeah, let's hope these new policies actually make a difference 
! it's crazy cuz families r struggling w/ housing, groceries & more but care (childcare, older adult care & disability care) is often overlooked 
... but we need more 
and maybe, just maybe, working parents won't have to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table 
Investing in care is like, the smartest thing we can do for our economy and society as a whole. We need leaders who get this and are willing to put in the work to make changes happen. 
i'm loving that these candidates are putting family care at the top of their agenda, maybe we can finally see some real change soon?