[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 24 (Monday, June 21, 1999)]
[Page 1121]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Proposed ``Work Incentives Improvement Act''

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 9th 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.