[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
       SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND REHABILITATION ACT OF 1994

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, yesterday Senator Cohen introduced 
legislation that makes important reforms to two Social Security 
programs that provide benefits to the disabled. I applaud him in his 
effort to restore credibility to these important programs and am 
pleased to join as a cosponsor of the legislation.
  The Social Security Disability Insurance [SSDI] and Supplemental 
Security Income [SSI] Programs were designed to support individuals who 
cannot work because of physical or mental disabilities. Included in the 
definition of qualifying disabilities are drug addiction and 
alcoholism. Indeed, 250,000 addicts receive benefits to the tune of 
$1.4 billion under these programs. The rationale behind this is that 
drug addicts and alcoholics must be supported financially while they 
are undergoing treatment.
  Shockingly, a year-long investigation by Senator Cohen's staff on the 
Senate Special Committee on Aging and by the General Accounting Office 
[GAO] has brought to our attention that instead of helping drug addicts 
and alcoholics seek treatment, the programs are in many instances 
merely subsidizing their addictions. Because the Government has not 
required addicts to seek treatment, or held them accountable for how 
the money is spent or who manages it, the program has spun out of 
control and is now operating as a cash assistance program for drug 
addicts and alcoholics--with no strings attached.
  To be certain, Congress has tried to put some restraints on the SSI 
Program. Addicts receiving benefits under this program may not get the 
money directly. Instead, the money is paid to a supposedly third party, 
such as a family member or friend. This so-called representative payee 
is supposed to be a responsible member of society who will oversee how 
the money is spent. Regrettably, the investigation revealed that too 
often this third party is also an addict, unable to manage his own 
life, let alone that of a fellow addict. While this provision has not 
been well enforced, at least there was an attempt. No such attempt is 
made in the SSDI Program, where the money goes directly into the hands 
of the addict.
  The treatment requirements are also ineffective--where they even 
exist. Supposedly, drug addicts and alcoholics who receive SSI benefits 
must participate in a substance abuse treatment program--if available. 
Senator Cohen's investigation shows that the Social Security 
Administration does a sorry job of overseeing this requirement. As a 
result, many addicts are never held to this requirement. Again, at 
least the Government showed an interest in trying in the SSI Program--
the SSDI Program does not even bother to make treatment a condition of 
benefits.

  One of the ways that the Social Security Administration determines 
eligibility for these programs is if an individual is unable to engage 
in substantial gainful activity because of his or her mental or 
physical impairment. Yet, many addicts are engaged in substantial 
gainful activity that is illegal, namely drug dealing. They will admit 
this to the authorities to prove that they are addicts, and then will 
be deemed eligible for benefits.
  Clearly, Mr. President, the time has come for Congress to take 
action. This legislation would put into place some tough new 
requirements. First, and most important the legislation will require 
that all substance abusers seek treatment, and it will increase the 
availability of substance abuse treatment programs. Second, addicts 
will no longer be allowed to designate a fellow addict as their 
representative payee. Instead, the money will be paid to an approved 
community agency which will oversee its distribution. Third, drug 
dealers, who are now on the rolls, will no longer be eligible for 
benefits.
  Mr. President, we have all been trying to find ways to save money and 
to make Congress more accountable for the programs it authorizes. 
Taxpayers have been most generous in their support for the truly needy, 
and we should make every effort not to exploit that generosity. 
Individuals who are truly disabled, or addicted to drugs or alcohol and 
trying to change your ways should be supported. But we will no longer 
help those who are not trying to help themselves. This legislation puts 
that message into law, and I urge my colleagues to enact it as soon as 
possible. Thank you, Mr. President.

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