I am very pleased that the Health and Environment Subcommittee is marking up the Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999. The bill that Representatives Rick Lazio and Henry Waxman introduced just over one month ago has many cosponsors on this Committee, including Chairman Bliley, myself, Subcommittee Chairman Bilirakis, and ranking member Sherrod Brown.

Today, the overwhelming majority of people with disabilities want to work but are unemployed. The disability community reports that the number one reason these people chose not to work is the fear of losing the only dependable health insurance they have access to, Medicare or Medicaid. This bill would end that fear by allowing people with disabilities who return to work the option of keeping their Medicaid or Medicare coverage.

The security of continued access to comprehensive, affordable insurance that meets their needs would allow people with disabilities to seek employment and end their dependence on public assistance. Currently, 7.5 million people with disabilities receive cash assistance from the Social Security Administration. The General Accounting Office estimates that if just 1% of these individuals became successfully employed, the federal government could save up to $3.5 billion in forgone cash payments.