FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 16, 1999 CONTACT: Winston Allen (202) 606-2401 wcallen@opm.gov OPM Director Lachance Uses Bilingual Radio Hot Line to Announce Administrations Welfare to Work Initiative Success and Modernization of Medicare Proposal Washington, D.C.- Updates about the Clinton/Gore Administrations success in its Welfare-to-Work initiative and proposal to strengthen and modernize Medicare for the 21st century are included in the U.S. Office of Personnel Managements (OPM ) radio hot line. The hot line is available in both English and Spanish. Welfare-to-Work On August 2, 1999, Vice President Gore announced that the federal government has hired over 14,000 welfare recipients, which surpassed the Administrations goal to hire 10,000 individuals by FY 2000. The Vice President added that the data from OPM demonstrate that federal Welfare-to-Work hires are staying off welfare and succeeding in their new jobs. Federal Welfare-to-Work hires are almost twice as likely to stay on the job for a full year as non-Welfare-to-Work hires. The President and Vice President encouraged federal agencies to do their fair share and offer employment opportunities to welfare recipients. OPM has done its fair share to make this initiative a success by more than doubling its original Welfare-to-Work hiring commitment and bringing on-board 58 new employees. As our nations largest employer, the federal government is leading the way in extending employment opportunities to those who simply need a chance, said Lachance. Modernizing Medicare On July 22, 1999, President Clinton called for a modernization plan for Medicare that would add prescription drug benefits, make Medicare more competitive and efficient. The plan would also strengthen Medicares financing for the 21st century by dedicating15 percent of the nations budget surplus to it. We must preserve Medicare, while making it more comprehensive and efficient, while at the same time ensuring the budget remains balanced, said OPM Director Janice R. Lachance. To hear Director Lachances comments on these topics, please call OPMs radio actuality hot lineat (202) 606-0839, ext. 10 for Welfare-to-Work hires, and ext. 11 for the Administrations plan to Strengthen and Modernize Medicare for the 21st Century. Director Lachance is available for media interviews by contacting Winston Allen at (202) 606-2402. - end -

Web page created 16 August 1999