March 23, 1999

Last week, I joined Congressman Rick Lazio, Congressman Henry Waxman, Chairman Tom Bliley, Subcommittee Chairman Mike Bilirakis, and ranking minority member Sherrod Brown in cosponsoring the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. I am pleased that the Commerce Committee is holding a hearing on this bill today, and I hope that we take the additional steps that are necessary to enact this bill into law.

Over the past few decades, many people with disabilities have benefitted from tremendous developments in assistive technologies, more sophisticated medical care, and improved access to public facilities and public transportation. However, one area of life that has not improved for many people with disabilities is the opportunity to earn a living. While nearly 80% of non-disabled adults of working age are employed full- or part-time, less than 30% of disabled adults of working age hold full- or part-time jobs. This gap between the disabled and non-disabled population in the area of employment has not improved since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act earlier in this decade.

Almost three-quarters of people with disabilities who are not employed say that they want to work. Yet many adults with disabilities know that earning a paycheck may disqualify them from receiving Medicaid or Medicare health benefits, which are absolutely necessary for keeping them healthy enough so that they are able to work. Many people with disabilities, quite understandably, choose health benefits over a job.

This bill would ensure that people disabilities no longer have to choose between working and getting health care. States would have additional options to extend Medicaid coverage to working adults with disabilities. In addition, the bill would lengthen the current period of extended eligibility for Medicare for disabled beneficiaries who return to work.