PI Action alerts & updates ... 1999

Support the Work Incentives Improvement Act

Congress has recently begun debate on “The Work Incentives Improvement Act”. The legislation, S. 331 authored by Senators Jeffords (R-VT), Kennedy (D-MA), Roth (R-DE), and Moynihan (D-NY), and its companion in the House of Representatives, H.R. 1180, authored by Rep. Rick Lazio (R-NY), provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including HIV, to enter, return to, or stay in the workforce without losing their health care coverage. S. 331 and H.R. 1180 have both passed their first committee votes with strong bipartisan support.

There are a number of important provisions in this bill. It would provide states with the option of extending Medicaid coverage to individuals with AIDS and other disabilities whose income would normally make them ineligible for coverage. This means that states could allow people with disabilities who earn above approximately $20,000 annually to access the Medicaid program. States that take advantage of the option to extend income eligibility could also allow workers with disabilities who cease to be eligible for Medicaid due to medical improvement to buy into a Medicaid program.

The bill would also create a ten-year period during which working beneficiaries of the Medicare program could continue their Medicare coverage without paying the premium for Part A coverage. A report examining cost-effectiveness and the cost of the policy would be required before a decision on renewing the program would be made.

Finally, the bill would create a state Medicaid demonstration project that would provide Medicaid equivalent benefits to people aged 16–64 who are “workers with a potentially severe disability”. This would include working individuals with a physical or mental impairment, such as HIV disease, who, without the health care services offered by Medicaid, would progress in their disease until they were sick enough to meet the strict disability requirements currently used by Medicaid. There are also other provisions in the bill that would help build the infrastructure of support services necessary to help individuals continue, enter or return to work.

In spite of the fact that the bill has strong bipartisan support, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) had expressed his opposition, and delayed scheduling a debate and vote by the full Senate for several weeks. An agreement was finally reached on amendments addressing Senator Lott’s concerns and the bill is expected to come up for debate and a vote very soon.

In the House, the bill is waiting to be voted by the House Ways and Means Committee, where it could face opposition. President Clinton has expressed his support for this legislation. Your voice is needed to ensure that these bills are passed quickly and sent to the President for his signature!

Action Needed
Both S. 331 and H.R. 1180 could move quickly, so phone calls are needed immediately! Call your two U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative this week. Ask them to support The Work Incentives Improvement Act. If this legislation would be beneficial to you or someone you care about, let them know. Use the sample phone scripts below to craft your message.

Sample Messages

For your Senators:
“I am calling Senator _____________ in support of S. 331), the Work Incentives Improvement Act. This legislation provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including HIV, to enter, return to, or stay in the workforce without losing their health care coverage. I encourage Senator ______________ to vote in favor of S. 331 on the Senate floor.”

For your House Representative:
“I am calling Representative ______________ in support of H.R. 1180, the Work Incentives Improvement Act. This legislation provides opportunities for individuals with disabilities, including HIV, to enter, return to, or stay in the workforce without losing their health care coverage. I encourage Representative ______________ to ask the members of the House Ways and Means Committee to support H.R. 1180, and I also urge him/her to vote in support of this bill.”

Patients’ Bill of Rights Petition
This year, Congress will again debate federal legislation to establish protections for people who get their insurance through managed care plans. Attempts to pass a “Patients’ Bill of Rights” failed last year. Similar to last year, there are several bills: a House Republican Leadership bill, H.R. 448, authored by Rep. Bilirakis, a Senate Republican Leadership bill, S. 326, authored by Senator Lott (R-MS) and Democratic Leadership bills, S.6 authored by Senators Daschle (D-SD) and Kennedy (D-MA) and H.R. 358, authored by Reps. Gephardt (D-MO) and Dingell (D-MI). The Republican bills are quite different from each other, while the Democratic bills are identical.

Health care advocates have created an online petition drive urging support of a comprehensive Patients’ Bill of Rights. There are currently over 25,000 signatures on this petition. This is an excellent way to demonstrate to Congress how important patient protections are to their constituents.

You can sign this petition through Families USA’s website at www.familiesusa.org. This website also has detailed information about the protections included in the different bills. If you don’t have access to the Internet, you can call Ryan Clary at 415-558-8669 x224 and leave your full name, city, and state. We will add you to the petition.

District or DC office?
When communicating with your elected officials, it is usually fine to call their district office. Messages are collected and given to the legislator. However, when you are calling about a bill or issue that will be voted on quickly—such as the one in this Alert, we recommend you call the Washington, DC office directly so that your opinion is documented immediately.

You can reach your U.S. Senators and Representative through the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121.