[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 43 (Thursday, March 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E479]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  THE WORK INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENT ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. RICK LAZIO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 18, 1999

  Mr. LAZIO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a bill that has one 
goal and one goal only--enabling individuals with disabilities to 
pursue their desire to work. In today's workplace, less than one-half 
of one percent of disabled Americans successfully move from disability 
benefits to employment and self-sufficiency. A recent Harris Survey, 
however, found that 72 percent of Americans with disabilities want to 
work but nearly 75 percent of persons with disabilities are unemployed. 
What is the problem, here?
  Let me tell you about a man from my district. He is a 39-year-old 
Navy Veteran from Bay Shore, NY. Several years ago, he worked on Wall 
Street with the hopes of becoming a stockbroker. Unfortunately, an 
accident in 1983 left him a quadriplegic. Because of his injury, this 
man relies on a tracheostomy to help him breath and speak.
  He requires nurses or caregives to clean his tracheostomy and 
requires 24-hour home care to assist him bathing, dressing, 
housekeeping, and numerous other daily activities. This individual's 
physical challenge, however, does not inhibit his ability to become a 
stockbroker. Ten years after his tragic accident, he successfully 
passed the ``Series 7'' test, a grueling 6-hour exam, to become a 
licensed stockbroker. Except for Federal barriers, he would be a stock 
broker today. He cannot, however, because he would lose his Medicaid 
and Medicare, which he needs to survive.
  His situation is not unique. His predicament is replicated all across 
this country--by the millions. Suffolk County, NY, alone has 261,000 
disabled individuals--most of whom want to work. Yet, disabled 
Americans must choose between working and surviving. Federal benefit 
programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and 
Supplemental Security Income (SSI) provide benefits, including 
eligibility for health coverage through Medicare and Medicaid. Services 
that many disabled workers require, such as personal assistance, are 
often not covered by employer health care. So, when a disabled American 
secures a job and earns income, he or she may lose their government 
benefits and, subsequently, their health coverage.
  This is why I have introduced the Work Incentives Improvement Act in 
the House of Representatives. The Federal Government should remove 
existing barriers and allow these individuals to work. Like all other 
Americans, disabled Americans deserve economic opportunity. They 
deserve the satisfaction that only a paycheck can bring. They deserve 
to be in control of their lives and have the peace of mind of 
independence and personal security. The Work Incentives Improvement Act 
takes significant steps toward reforming Federal disability programs, 
improving access to needed services, and releasing the shackles of 
dependency.
  Look at today's disability program: more than 7.5 million disabled 
Americans receive benefits from SSI and SSDI. Providing assistance to 
these individuals costs the Government $73 billion a year--making these 
disability programs the fourth largest entitlement expenditure in the 
Federal Government. Now, if only one 1 percent, or 75,000, of the 7.5 
million disabled adults were to become employed, Federal savings in 
disability benefit would total $3.5 billion over the lifetime of the 
individual. Removing barriers to work is a major benefit to disabled 
Americans in their pursuit of self-sufficiency, and it also contributes 
to preserving the Social Security trust fund.
  The Work incentives Improvement Act would create new State options 
for SSDI and SSI beneficiaries who return to work to purchase the 
health care coverage they would otherwise be entitled to if they did 
not work. It would support a user-friendly, public-private approach job 
training and placement assistance for individuals with disabilities who 
want to work, and it provides for new ways to inform SSDI and SSI 
beneficiaries of available work incentives.
  The man from Bay Shore, NY, said, ``I want to work. I do not want to 
be a burden to taxpayers.'' The Work Incentives Improvement Act will 
help him become a successful stockbroker. When he does so, he hopes to 
open to open his own firm and hire people with disabilities.
  Now is the time to make major progress toward removing barriers and 
enabling people with disabilities to work. Millions of Americans are 
waiting eagerly to unleash their creativity and pursue the American 
dream. They are waiting for us to act, Mr. Speaker. Let's act now.

                          ____________________