EMPLOYMENT

THE ALABAMA DISABILITIES ACTION COALITION
2003 ISSUES AND POSITIONS

Facts about ADAC

The Alabama Disabilities Action Coalition is a non-partisan coalition of individuals with disabilities and organizations representing them. ADAC was founded in the early 1990's as a local Birmingham group organized to conduct candidates' forums to inform local and state officeholders about issues and needs of individuals with disabilities. ADAC seeks to build a broad based statewide coalition of all people with disabilities in order to bring about positive changes in attitude among people without disabilities.

ISSUE

Employment for People with Disabilities

Unemployment among people with disabilities remains high. It is estimated that 70% of people with disabilities who want to work cannot find jobs. Also, many people who leave their jobs due to a disability hope to return to work someday. However, returning to work can be a frustrating experience. This is especially true for those receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI), who find that program rules (e.g., the stringent limit on earnings) can get in the way. SSDI and SSI provide cash benefits and federal health insurance coverage: Medicare (SSDI) and Medicaid (SSI).

The primary problem for those returning to work involves the eventual termination of Medicare or Medicaid coverage. When these federal health insurance benefits end, many workers with chronic illnesses and disabilities have a difficult time securing adequate health insurance at a reasonable price. As a result, these individuals often are forced to choose between working and retaining their Medicare and/or Medicaid. Out of necessity, many choose the security of adequate health care coverage.

To combat this problem, Congress passed the Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999 (TWWIIA). As TWWIIA is implemented, it will become easier for individuals with disabilities who return to work to retain or obtain Medicare and Medicaid benefits. We strongly support state legislation to provide Medicaid coverage as an incentive to work.

Under TWWIIA, states can expand Medicaid eligibility by implementing the following:

• Option 1 allows states to provide a Medicaid buy-in program on a sliding fee scale to working individuals with disabilities who have annual incomes between approximately $21,475 (250% of federal poverty level) and $75,000. Under an earlier program included in the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, states already had the choice to provide a buy-in option for individuals with incomes up to 250% of federal poverty level. Individuals must be SSI eligible, exclusive of income.
• Option 2 (available only if Option 1 is implemented) allows states to provide a Medicaid buy-in program on a sliding-fee scale to employed individuals whose medical condition has improved (making them ineligible for SSI and Medicaid), but who still have a severe medical impairment. States can set income and resource exclusions that differ from the federal SSI requirements.

The ADAC Position

ADAC supports the full employment of all qualified individuals with disabilities who want to return to work or be employed for the first time.

ADAC also supports the following:

• Medicaid Buy-In program funded by a combination of federal and state monies.
• State tax credits/deductions for employers who hire qualified individuals with disabilities
• Full state funding for state agencies like ADRS who help people with disabilities become successfully employed.
• Initiatives implemented by the state Medicaid Agency to be in the broadest scope possible.