2002.06.21:HHS Approves Wyoming's Request to Expand Medicaid to Working Individuals with a Disability

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, June 21, 2002

Contact:

CMS Press Office
(202) 690-6145

HHS APPROVES WYOMING'S REQUEST TO EXPAND MEDICAID
TO WORKING INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced the approval of Wyoming's plan to allow people with disabilities who return to work to retain their Medicaid coverage -- removing a key barrier that will help disabled individuals in the state to lead productive lives.

"Now, hundreds of Wyoming residents will be able to return to work without fear of losing access to medical care for a serious disabling condition," Secretary Thompson said. "President Bush and I are committed to knocking down barriers so that all Americans with disabilities can participate more fully in community life."

With today's approval, the state will offer Medicaid to anyone with a disability ages 16-64 with annual incomes up to the federal poverty level ($8,860 for an individual in 2002). Eligible individuals will pay a premium based on a sliding fee scale. The expansion will serve up to 300 disabled Wyoming residents.

The change supports the goals of President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, a government-wide framework for helping provide people with disabilities with the tools they need to fully access and participate in their communities.

Wyoming is able to make the change in part due to a $500,000 grant from HHS' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, which gives states greater flexibility to assist workers with disabilities under the Medicaid program.

"Today's approval will further enable those with a disability to work in a competitive environment," CMS Administrator Tom Scully said. "Keeping people in the workplace is the goal of this landmark legislation."

Since taking office, Secretary Thompson has worked to improve access to health care through innovative coverage programs in Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). HHS has approved waivers and plan amendments that have expanded eligibility to about 1.8 million people and enhanced benefits for about 4.5 million people since January 2001.

Medicaid is a state-federal partnership that pays for health and long-term care services to certain low-income individuals, including children, the elderly and people with disabilities. States and the federal government share the cost of the program, and each state administers its Medicaid program.

More information about President Bush's New Freedom Initiative is available atwww.hhs.gov/newfreedom/. Information about HHS' ongoing efforts to implement the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act is available at cms.hhs.gov/twwiia/default.asp.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.

HHS APPROVES WYOMING'S REQUEST TO EXPAND MEDICAID TO WORKING INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY

HHS APPROVES WYOMING'S REQUEST TO EXPAND MEDICAID
TO WORKING INDIVIDUALS WITH A DISABILITY