| (JULY 1999) The House Commerce Committee approved
a bill on May 19 that would enable individuals with
disabilities to return to the workforce without losing
critical benefits. The American College of Cardiology
(ACC) has been closely monitoring this bill as it
relates to uninsured adults with congenital heart
disease. Specifically, the bill (H.R. 1180), sponsored
by Reps. Rick Lazio (R-N.Y.) and Henry Waxman
(D-Calif.), contains a demonstration project that would
enable states to extend a Medicaid buy-in program to
working "less severely" disabled individuals. Supporters
in Congress hope this demonstration will provide new
information on the cost effectiveness of early health
care interventions in keeping people with disabilities
from becoming too disabled to work. The ACC has been
working with key committee staff to ensure that states
could consider adults with congenital or childhood
disease in the context of that demonstration.
The Senate Finance Committee approved a similar
bill earlier this year; however, key senators have
blocked its consideration on the Senate floor. Most
recently, Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, refused to support a
unanimous consent agreement that would have brought the
bill to the floor for easy passage. His reported
disagreement is not with the intent of the bill but with
its financing mechanism, which would call for a
reduction in the foreign tax credit. Sen. Gramm has said
such a "tax increase to pay for a new entitlement" would
set a dangerous precedent. Nevertheless, the bill enjoys
broad bipartisan support and is expected to move to the
floor within the next few weeks.
ACC
News
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