[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 146 (Wednesday, October 14, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12545-S12546]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              THE WORK INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 1998

  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, we must pass the Work Incentives 
Improvement Act of 1998 in this Congress.
  It seems like so long ago that when we introduced bill, I remember 
Bob Dole, who has been a hero with disabilities over the years being a 
disabled man himself, coming forward to us with this legislation, or to 
help on this legislation, and told his life story, and how incredibly 
important it was for him as an individual to be able to get back into 
the workforce. As we all know, he did that so successfully.

[[Page S12546]]

  I am now watching carefully as we struggle to come to the end of this 
session, and know that one of the bills that is lying there waiting to 
be passed is the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1998 on which the 
former Senator, Leader Dole, worked so hard.
  This legislation addresses the last remaining barrier to true 
independence for individuals with disabilities. We must act now. For 
years, both here and in Vermont, individuals with disabilities have 
said to me, ``Senator Jeffords, I want to work. But I cannot afford 
to.''
  It took me a while to fully understand and appreciate what they were 
saying. Simply put, the current system of cash payments and health care 
coverage in the Social Security Act do not encourage individuals with 
disabilities to work, or to work to their full potential. Common sense 
is on our side with regard to Social Security reform. Our country has 
succeeded in providing Federal and State support for children and 
adults with disabilities through the Individuals with Disabilities 
Education Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and recently the 
Work Investment Act of 1998.

  But although our Nation has shown its commitment to prepare children 
and adults with disabilities for work--in fact, in the work incentive 
bill I referred to, we have the Rehabilitation Act reauthorization 
there; we put it in the Workforce Act to bring closure, to bring 
together all of these bills that help people to work--we have 
conditions that, unfortunately, do not allow or encourage those 
individuals with disabilities to work.
  If someone told you, ``Look, you can work, but if you earn over $500 
monthly, in 12 months''--that is $6,000 a year--``your health insurance 
will stop, unless you pay for it yourself,'' after a period of time 
would you work and exceed those thresholds? I doubt it.
  If someone told you, ``We will cover the cost of personal assistance 
services and prescription drugs that you need in order to work, but you 
cannot have more than $2,000 in assets, or accumulate more than $2,000 
in assets,'' do these conditions appear to help individuals be self-
sufficient? Clearly not.
  The facts are on the side of those of us who want to pass the Work 
Incentives Improvement Act of 1998. We want it included in the omnibus 
appropriations bill, and there is great effort going on to accomplish 
that.
  There are 7.5 million individuals with disabilities who receive cash 
payments from the Social Security Administration and receive health 
insurance coverage through Medicare or Medicaid. According to GAO, in 
1996 cash payments were about $1.21 billion weekly. These payments do 
not include payments made under Medicare or Medicaid. If these payments 
are factored in, the costs exceed $70 billion annually.
  It has been estimated that the number of Social Security 
beneficiaries with disabilities increased 83 percent between 1989 and 
1997, and this number will continue to grow by a rate of about 3 to 6 
percent a year.
  If just 1 percent of these beneficiaries were to become successfully 
employed, savings in cash payments would total $3.5 billion over their 
lifetime for that 1 percent. The Work Incentives Improvement Act is a 
credible, viable solution in terms of both fiscal responsibility and 
personal responsibility.
  The Work Incentives Improvement Act gives States discretion to offer 
health care benefits to individuals with disabilities on the Social 
Security rolls when their earned income exceeds that now in the Social 
Security Act. As a result, more of these individuals will work and will 
work for more hours.
  The legislation allows States to impose cost-sharing obligations on 
these individuals. The legislation would cost $200 million a year over 
a 5-year period--a small price to pay when you consider this 
legislation has a potential to turn 8 million individuals into 
taxpayers. There ought to be a substantial gain--no cost. The 
legislation includes offsets to pay for it.
  The legislation includes Representative Bunning's ``Ticket to Work'' 
bill that will give people with disabilities more choices when they 
need job training before going to work.
  All major disabilities organizations support the Work Incentives 
Improvement Act but will not support the enactment of the ``Ticket to 
Work'' alone. They have to come together.
  Many of our colleagues in the administration support this 
legislation. I especially want to thank my friend Senator Grassley for 
his support in these important last weeks.
  The insurance industry fully supports the legislation. The Work 
Incentives Improvement Act will help reduce the $70 billion annual 
drain on the budget caused by 8 million individuals with disabilities, 
many of whom want to work but do not because of their fear of the loss 
of access to health care.
  At this point we cannot say, again, we will try to get something 
through next Congress. We cannot hide behind excuses. We must pass the 
Work Incentives Improvement Act now. This is a special time. The 
momentum is with us. People with disabilities expect us to deliver now. 
They want to be free to go to work.
  If we do, the lives of millions of Americans will be transformed, 
both disabled and nondisabled Americans. Individuals with disabilities 
will work and pay taxes. They will experience the true meaning of 
personal dignity, freedom, independence, and choices. Their family 
members and friends will be freed from caretaking responsibilities and 
reenter the workforce or expand their work hours. Decisions about the 
quality of life and living circumstances of an individual with 
disabilities will no longer be made for that individual but will be 
made by and with that individual.
  The only down side to the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1998 is 
it has taken us so long to get to this precious moment. Let's make it 
count. Let us deliver, and let us deliver now.
  Mr. President, I yield whatever time I have and I am now ready to 
proceed.
  I make a point of order that a quorum is not present.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. JEFFORDS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________