[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 69 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              INTRODUCTION OF THE WELFARE FLEXIBILITY ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL ARCHER

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 22, 1997

  Mr. ARCHER. Mr. Speaker, today I along with several of my colleagues 
are introducing the Welfare Flexibility Act.
  During the 104th Congress, we passed and the President signed 
legislation ``ending welfare as we know it.'' The principle of this 
legislation is to enable States to offer creative and innovative means 
for providing aid to citizens in need. Unfortunately, the President has 
blocked Texas' efforts to move forward with their reform proposal. A 
proposal that Deputy Secretary-Designate of Health and Human Services 
Kevin Thurme called innovative.
  Therefore, I have introduced legislation that will permit any State 
to privately contract for the delivery of welfare benefits. In Texas, 
this legislation will have dramatic implications. Instead of 
beneficiaries traveling from agency to agency to enroll in various 
programs, they will now be able to ``one-stop-shop'' for all benefits.
  Additionally, it is my understanding from Governor Bush that the 
Texas welfare proposal will save the State nearly $10 million a month 
by eliminating unneeded and duplicative services. The Governor has 
committed these funds for providing health care to poor children; a 
goal I'm certain we all recognize as commendable.
  I also believe that this legislation will benefit many other States 
that are seeking the opportunity to design a welfare system that will 
best serve their needs. Among them, Florida, Arizona, and Wisconsin are 
all attempting to move forward with innovative proposals. This 
legislation will give them the foundation they need to help their 
citizens in need.
  In closing, I am disappointed that statutory change is required to 
give these States the ability to implement what I thought was the 
intent of the last Congress' actions. However, I am certain that we 
will be successful in passing this important bill and I look forward to 
having my colleagues, on both sides of the aisle, join me in support.
  This legislation has been scored by the Congressional Budget Office 
as revenue neutral, and I submit a letter from CBO Director June E. 
O'Neill for the Record.

                                                    U.S. Congress,


                                  Congressional Budget Office,

                                     Washington, DC, May 22, 1997.
     Hon. Bill Archer,
     Chairman, Committee on Ways and Means, U.S. House of 
         Representatives, Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Chairman: At your request, CBO has reviewed a 
     draft bill that would allow any state to use nongovernmental 
     personnel in the determination of eligibility under the 
     Medicaid, Food Stamp, and Special Supplemental Nutrition 
     Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs. 
     Although the bill could either increase or decrease spending 
     for these programs, CBO estimates that it would have no net 
     effect on federal spending compared with current law.
           Sincerely,
                                                  June E. O'Neill.

     

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