[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 75 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5787-S5788]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    WORK INCENTIVES IMPROVEMENT ACT

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I wish to speak for a few moments 
today about a bill that many Senators, some 70 of us, believe will 
improve the lives of millions of disabled Americans. The Work 
Incentives Improvement Act would allow disabled adults to enter the 
workforce without placing their Medicaid or Medicare benefits at risk. 
I particularly thank Senators Kennedy, Jeffords, Moynihan, and Roth for 
their outstanding leadership in crafting this legislation. I am very 
proud to be a cosponsor.
  Today, more than 8 million working-age adults receive disability 
payments from the Federal Government for conditions that range from 
paralysis to multiple sclerosis. A recent Harris poll showed that 72 
percent of these disabled people would really like to work, but 
disabled Americans face a terrible Catch-22. The Federal Medicaid 
program won't cover people who continue to work and remain disabled. So 
if a disabled adult earns more than $500 a month, he or she loses their 
Medicaid. That is the rub.

  The eligibility criteria for Medicaid benefits have had a devastating 
effect on disabled Americans. The Medicaid program equates having a 
disability with being poor and unable to work, furthering inaccurate 
stereotypes about disability. To make things worse, the Medicaid 
program ensures that disabled people who do work end up having to 
shoulder the cost of their care by themselves.
  For all but the best-off disabled Americans, these costs are 
prohibitive. People with serious medical conditions can't pay the out-
of-pocket costs of their medical treatment. These costs can run into 
the tens of thousands of dollars each year. In other words, if a 
disabled American does have a job, the minute that disabled American 
earns more than $500 a month, they fall off a cliff and they lose their 
Medicaid or

[[Page S5788]]

their Medicare. So millions of disabled Americans remain dependent on 
cash assistance from the Federal Government simply because they can't 
work and keep Medicaid at the same time.
  Last year, I wrote to President Clinton urging a remedy to the 
situation. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Work 
Incentives Improvement Act. This bill allows Americans with 
disabilities to enter the workforce without losing their health 
coverage under Medicaid or Medicare. Even if disabled people are 
working in full-time jobs with health benefits, they will be able to 
buy their Medicaid coverage for medical expenses that their regular 
insurance does not cover.
  In addition, the Work Incentives Improvement Act sets up a new system 
called Ticket to Work, to provide better job training and placement 
services for the disabled. The Work Incentives Improvement Act will 
enable disabled Americans to pursue self-sufficiency, to achieve 
independence, and to contribute in meaningful ways to our economy. It 
is certainly an idea whose time has come. That is why over 70 Senators 
have signed on as cosponsors.
  Unfortunately, the Senate has not had the chance to vote on this 
important legislation. The reason I am on the floor today, as well as 
others who I hope will be coming to the floor, is to urge Senate 
Majority Leader Trent Lott to bring the Work Incentives Improvement Act 
to the Senate floor for a vote soon. No one should have to choose 
between a job and their health. By preserving Federal health benefits 
for disabled workers, we can avoid the Catch-22 and, most importantly, 
we can help the disabled to live full and healthy lives.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor, and I suggest the absence of a 
quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative assistant proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. GRAMS. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be allowed 
to speak for up to 25 minutes in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The remarks of Mr. Grams pertaining to the introduction of S. 1102, 
S. 1103, S. 1104 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on 
Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')
  Mr. GRAMS. I yield the floor and I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative assistant called the roll.
  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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