From the Office of Senator Kerry

Wednesday, September 10, 2003

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today called for passage of the Family Opportunity Act, which will give states the option to expand Medicaid coverage for children with disabilities up to age 18 in families with incomes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level (or $46,000 per year for a family of four). Among other important provisions, the bill also grants immediate access to Medicaid services for those disabled children who are presumed eligible for Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

Currently, low income families of disabled children with severe disabilities receive federal disability benefits under SSI. However, if parents seek a better job or earn higher wages, their disabled children lose Medicaid coverage, which is essential to providing comprehensive health care for children who require complex and often costly care.

“No parent should have to turn down a job or give up the custody of a child to ensure that he or she gets health care,” said Kerry. His full statement follows:

“As a proud cosponsor of the Family Opportunity Act of 2003, I am extremely grateful to both my colleague and Senior Senator from Massachusetts, Mr. Kennedy, and to Chairman Grassley for your leadership on this bill and for your commitment to making it the law of the land. I stand with you and share your commitment to people with disabilities.

“Parents with disabled children are unjustly punished for working hard to support and provide for their families. Currently, low income families of disabled children with severe disabilities receive federal disability benefits under Supplemental Security Income. However, if parents seek a better job or earn higher wages, their disabled children lose Medicaid coverage, which is essential to providing comprehensive health care for children who require complex and often costly care. In a recent survey of 20 states, 64 percent of parents with disabled children reported that they turned down jobs, raises, and overtime pay to remain under the income limits required to qualify for Medicaid coverage.

“The current law is unfair – we are forcing parents to turn down opportunities to improve their lives and the lives of their children in order to qualify for Medicaid. Some parents must even make the horrific decision to place their children in an out-of-home placement or relinquish custody entirely, in order to maintain the Medicaid coverage their disabled children need. Indeed, in 2001, nearly 13,000 parents temporarily relinquished custody of their children to the state so that the children could receive the mental health care treatment they required but the family could not otherwise afford without Medicaid. This must end. This must not happen in America.

“No parent should have to turn down a job or give up the custody of a child to ensure that he or she gets health care. It defies both common sense and simple justice.

“The Family Opportunity Act will right these wrongs. It is also an essential investment in the health and independence of these young people that will strengthen America. This bill gives states the option to expand Medicaid coverage for children with disabilities up to age 18 in families with incomes up to 250 percent of the federal poverty level (or $46,000 per year for a family of four). Among other important provisions, the bill also grants immediate access to Medicaid services for those disabled children who are presumed eligible for SSI. This is a bureaucratic barrier that often unnecessarily limits health care access and must be removed.

“I encourage all of my colleagues to support this crucial legislation. The Family Opportunity Act will ensure that families with disabled children no longer have to choose between financial security and health coverage for their children. We should do everything we can to hotline this bill directly to President Bush’s desk for signature.”

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