    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1999, Book I)]
    [June 16, 1999]
    [Page 950]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action on Work Incentives Legislation
    June 16, 1999

        Nearly a year ago, I committed to working with Senators
    Jeffords and Kennedy to pass the ``Work Incentives Improvement Act.'' In
    January, in my State of the Union Address, I urged the Congress make
    this historic, bipartisan legislation a top priority and fully funded it
    in the budget I sent to Congress. And on June 4th I challenged the
    Congress to send the work incentives bill to me by July 26th, so I could
    sign this legislation into law on the ninth anniversary of the enactment
    of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
        Today, in an overwhelming 99 to 0 vote, the Senate passed the work
    incentives bill. This impressive vote sends a strong signal that all
    Americans, including people with disabilities, should have the
    opportunity to work. Americans with disabilities can and do bring
    tremendous energy and talent to the American work force, but the
    unemployment rate for all working-age adults with disabilities is nearly
    75 percent. One of the most glaring problems is that people with
    disabilities frequently become ineligible for Medicaid or Medicare if
    they go back to work. This puts people with disabilities in the
    untenable position of choosing between health care coverage and work.
    The ``Work Incentives Improvement Act'' would improve job opportunities
    for people with disabilities by increasing access to health care and
    employment services.
        Senators Jeffords, Kennedy, Roth, and
    Moynihan deserve special recognition
    for their leadership on this historic legislation. I urge the House to
    follow their lead. Under the leadership of Congressmen Bliley, Dingell, Waxman, and Lazio, I am confident
    that it will. I also hope and expect the Senate and House to find
    offsets for this bill that are acceptable to all parties. This bill will
    provide critical work opportunities to people with disabilities, and I
    look forward to signing this groundbreaking legislation.