DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

             0

Memorandum

Date   *August 26, 1981

From   Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health

Subject  Dr. Rubin's Decision Memorandum of July 29 Concerning ASPE's Involvement
    in Issues Related to Disabled Populations
To    The Secretary
    Through: ES/OS

Although I do not wish to intrude on ASPE's prerogatives in reference
to the disabled, I would like to address two issues, one now in short-
term and the other broader and long-term.

Having met with representatives of the Committee for the Handicapped
of HHS, the Connnittee for the Handicapped of PHS, and with representatives
of the Office of EEO who concern themselves with the disabled, the percep-
tion of our disabled employees is that there is little interest in them
on the part of the Secretary or the high brass of HHS, The request made
by the first of the aforementioned groups to the Secretary in his meeting
with them several months ago is still a high priority with the disabled,
namely that the Secretary appoint someone to serve as a representative
of and an advocate for disabled employees of HHS. As stated to the
Secretary at their meeting with him they would be satisfied with one staff.
person and a supporting secretary.  I believe this is not an unreasonable
request and that if it could be granted it would do much to alleviate the
sagging morale of our disabled employees.  Recognition by the Secretary of
this need would also be beneficial to our perceived image from the outside
in reference to our management of disabled problems.  It doesn't do us any
good for the disabled public to know that whereas 7.6 percent of the work
force in this country is disabled, the percentage within the Public Health
Service, for example, is .67 percent

My long-term broader concern with disabled services has to do with the
overlapping and duplication between departments within the government as
well as a similar situation between the public and the private sector.
Disabled services are administered by HHS, Education, Labor, etc. Many of
these services could be complemented by established functions in the private
sector, but my perception is that there are innumerable barriers to cooperation
andcrosscutting which could save money and improve the services to the disabled.
We need a road map of these overlapping and correlary services and we need a
mandate to bring them together to provide better quality of care at a lower cost.

If confirmed, I would like to devote a major part of my effort to the latter
broad issue.  I would also be willing, if it were deemed feasible, to provide
some support to the intradepartmental HHS concern as well.

C.