[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 11, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E347]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE TICKET TO WORK AND SELF-SUFFICIENCY ACT OF 1998

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM BUNNING

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 1998

  Mr. BUNNING. Mr. Speaker, today, on behalf of myself and Barbara 
Kennelly, I am introducing the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Act 
of 1998. This legislation helps Social Security and Supplemental 
Security Income disability recipients return to a life of economic 
security and self-sufficiency.
  Social Security programs are vital to all Americans. The disability 
program is particularly important because it protects workers and their 
families against severe financial hardship that occurs when workers 
sustain severe illnesses or disabling conditions that prevent them from 
working.
  Due to advances in medicine, technology, and the field of 
rehabilitation, there are people who, despite serious disabilities, 
want to work and who could work if they were provided the kind of 
rehabilitation services they need. The disability program is like a big 
black hole--once people fall into the program they never seem to make 
their way out. In fact, less than 1 percent of disabled recipients ever 
leave the rolls because of work.
  Our legislation is very simple. We remove many of the barriers that 
prevent individuals with disabilities from climbing out of that hole.
  The consumer--the recipient with a disability--is number one. They 
choose the services they want from the providers they want. Generally, 
the provider of those services is paid for outcomes and long-term 
results. The payment process is designed to ensure that as many 
providers as possible are available to serve the consumer.
  One of the primary obstacles facing disabled recipients who attempt 
to leave the Social Security rolls to work is the fear of losing health 
care. To help alleviate that fear, our bill will extend Medicare 
coverage for 2 additional years. This means that recipients would have 
Medicare coverage for a total of 6 years from the time they first make 
an attempt to work.
  Due to the nature of their disability, many individuals incur 
extraordinary costs in trying to get a job and maintaining that Job. 
This legislation creates a tax credit of 50 percent of impairment-
related work expenses up to $10,000 per year.
  To better help consumers transition into work, the bill includes a 
requirement that SSA test a gradual offset of SSDI cash benefits by 
reducing monthly benefits $1 for every $2 in earnings over a determined 
level.
  Through this legislation we are asking the Social Security 
Administration to become more than just a disability program 
administrator, we want them to be an ability program administrator. The 
Commissioner benefits from the counsel of an advisory panel, made up of 
consumers, providers, and employer representatives. And the program 
will be gradually phased in, closely monitored, and thoroughly 
evaluated over time.
  I am excited about the possibilities this bill creates for 
individuals with disabilities. I urge my colleagues on both sides of 
the aisle to join me in suporting this effort.

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