CAREGIVERS UNITED FOR EQUITY CALLS FOR TAX CREDIT; END TO MEDICAID "CONFLICT OF INTEREST" PROVISION

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Caregivers United for Equity proposed a tax credit of $5,000 for New Yorkers who care for another.

ALBANY, NY, UNITED STATES, September 21, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- TODAY, Caregivers United for Equity, a new political action committee aimed at highlighting and addressing the needs of caregivers, proposed a substantial tax credit of $5,000 for the approximately 3.6 million New Yorkers who care for another.

The organization also proposed that health care proxies who are also primary caretakers be given the ability to be paid by Medicaid. Currently, such practice is deemed a “conflict of interest.”

“There’s an economic reality to caregiving that has continued to fly under the radar,” said Chris Bastardi Martini, co-founder of Caregivers United for Equity. “People who do this work not only see their careers disrupted but often end up going into their own pockets to carry out the duties of taking care of another person.”

Forty-seven percent of caregivers suffer financially, often taking on debt and using savings accounts to make ends meet. This occurred in Mr. Martini’s case, who began making tax payments for his aunt from his own funds while she was alive, a practice that has continued beyond her death.

For many, caregiving means putting one’s career on hold. That means reduced earnings.

“Our healthcare and hospice systems rely on the free services caregivers provide,” added co-founder Elizabeth Gonzalez. “But the bottom is about to fall out from underneath it and needs to be addressed. Not doing so will literally end up with people dying alone and without proper end-of-life care.”

To help ease the financial burden of caregiving, Caregivers United for Equity is proposing a $5,000 tax credit for the approximately 3.6 million New Yorkers who are taking care of a sick friend or relative.

“We understand the realities of governing and lawmaking and need to start this conversation somewhere because folks seem to not appreciate the steep financial toll caregiving places upon people - nor the sheer number of New Yorkers who are active caregivers. We have a choice of whether to start addressing this reality or to put our heads in the sand and see what happens to the system when New Yorkers refuse to take on this role,” added Mr. Martini.

About Caregivers United for Equity
Established in 2026, Caregivers United for Equity is beginning a long overdue and real conversation that addresses our aging population and hardship despite benefits of the Family and Medical Leave Act.
CaregiverTrustNY.com

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Chris Bastardi Martini
Bastardi Associates
+1 917-484-1587
bastardi@bastardiassociates.com
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