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News Release

HHS AWARDS $2.5 MILLION TO FIVE STATES
TO ENABLE MORE DISABLED PERSONS TO WORK

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced $2.5 million in grants to five states to help people with disabilities in those states to become and stay competitively employed. Each of the states -- Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina -- will receive $500,000 to support efforts to increase services and supports to workers, as well as help others return to work without the fear of losing health coverage.

Including today's grants, HHS has awarded more than $59 million to 40 states and the District of Columbia to expand their health coverage for disabled workers through the Medicaid program. The grants support the goals of the President Bush's New Freedom Initiative, which is working to eliminate the many barriers that unnecessarily hinder Americans with disabilities as they seek to participate fully in the life of their communities.

"Already through this initiative, nearly 30,000 disabled workers have returned to work without losing their health coverage, and the number of states offering expanded health care to these workers continues to grow," Secretary Thompson said. "We must continue to work together to create these kinds of opportunities for people with disabilities so we can fulfill President Bush's promise to make life better for millions of Americans with disabilities who work."

The grants advance the goals of the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (TWWIIA), a law passed by Congress to encourage people with disabilities to work without fear of losing their Medicare, Medicaid or similar health benefits.

The grants will help states build the systems they need to allow individuals with a disability to purchase health coverage through Medicaid at affordable rates. People with a disabling condition often cite the fear of losing health coverage as one of the major barriers to a possible return to work.

"Initiatives by the federal government and states that provide opportunities for disabled individuals to become more productive and successful in their lives makes sense for the person and the economy," said Thomas Scully, administrator of HHS' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). "We encourage the business community to take advantage of this pool of workers who are willing and able to be productive members of the workplace."

The grants can be used to support systems that provide personal assistance and supports. Such assistance can include help with bathing, dressing and other activities at home or on the job. States can also use the funds to reach out to people with a disability, train staff in new employment possibilities and improve transportation or other support programs that allow people with a disability to become productive members of the American workforce.

HHS plays a key role in carrying out the President's New Freedom Initiative and leads inter-agency efforts to increase opportunities for community living. Earlier this month, President Bush appointed Secretary Thompson and other Cabinet members to serve on an interagency work group to identify ways to help individuals with disabilities obtain assistive technology mobility devices needed for employment.

In addition, President Bush has proposed a new $1.75 billion, five-year program to help Americans with disabilities transition from nursing homes or other institutions to living in the community. The proposal is one of several new efforts in the fiscal year 2004 budget for the President's New Freedom Initiative. Altogether, the President's New Freedom Initiative budget proposals will represent $2.1 billion in planned new spending over five years, with $417 million in new spending proposed for fiscal year 2004.

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

Last Revised: February 11, 2003