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Compiled By GayToday
A bipartisan effort was announced on
Wednesday that would remove significant barriers faced by people with disabilities and
who want to begin or return to work. The Human Rights Campaign was quick to praise efforts by members of both political parties to pass the new bill.
Senators Jeffords, R-Vermont, Kennedy,
D-Mass., Roth, R-Delaware, and Moynihan, D-New York, announced their agreement
on "The Work Incentive Improvement Act of 1999" at the event which was hosted by
President Clinton at the White House this morning.
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"We welcome this strong bipartisan effort to address a very important need",
said Winnie Stachelberg, HRC's political director. "We are committed to working
with all four sponsors to ensure quick passage of this legislation in the 106th
Congress".
The bill, set for introduction at the end of January, would ensure that a person
with a disability, including someone with HIV disease, would have continued
access to adequate and affordable health insurance when he or she returns to
work. In addition, people with disabilities would have access to job training
and placement assistance in order to facilitate finding employment.
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"New treatments have restored the health of many people with HIV disease,
enabling them to return to the work force. However, the risk of losing access to
those therapies by giving up the federal health benefits that come with social
security income, prevents many people with HIV/AIDS from seeking employment",
said Seth Kilbourn, HRC's senior health policy analyst.
 Sen. Kennedy: A sponsor of the bill |
More than 8 million Americans receive benefits under federal disability
programs. Even if a small fraction of that number return to work, the costs of
the legislation would be offset by reduced social security payments and
increased economic productivity. The bill includes incentives for states to
create a Medicaid and Medicare buy-in program for working people with
disabilities and establishes grants for states to develop and establish support
systems to keep them employed. |
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