American Foundation for the Blind
AFB
Governmental Relations Group
820 First Street, NE, Suite 400
Washington, DC 20002
Tel: 202.408.0200
Fax: 202.289.7880
E-mail: abgov@afb.org
Incorporated in 1921
Statement of the American Foundation for the Blind
to the White House Conference on Social Security
December 8, 1998
The American Foundation for the Blind (AFB) is honored by the
invitation to participate in the White House Conference on Social
Security. We appreciate the opportunity to share our concern that
any discussion of fundamental reform of the Social Security system
must include a careful analysis of the impact of such reform
proposals on Social Security disability programs.
The mission of the American Foundation for the Blind is to enable
people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve equality of
access and opportunity that will ensure freedom of choice in their
lives. AFB fulfills this mission primarily by preparing and
disseminating information resources, educating policymakers about
the needs and capabilities of people who are blind or visually
impaired, and advocating the development and implementation of
sound public policy. A non-profit organization founded in 1921 and
recognized as Helen Keller's cause in the United States, AFB is a
leading national and international resource for blind individuals
and the professionals who serve them.
Our nation is embarking on a historic debate about the future of
Social Security. As we begin this discussion, it is vitally important
to remember that Social Security has an impact on much more than
retirement. Disability-related programs administered by the Social
Security Administration (SSA), such as Social Security Disability
Insurance (SSDI), serve as a safety net for more than eight million
adults and children with disabilities, including hundreds of
thousands of people who are blind or visually impaired. Any
deliberations concerning the reengineering or reform of America's
social insurance system, to be complete, must incorporate disability
as a major theme.
From the Social Security program's earliest beginnings, AFB has
worked tirelessly to strengthen the program's wage/income supports
and healthcare protections. Most recently, AFB has led the field
of blindness in advocating for improvements to the "work incentive"
provisions in current law. We look forward to working with the
President and the 106th Congress to achieve these legislative
objectives.
Aside from the larger issues around solvency, a number of
disability-related reforms should be explored. Many of SSA's
customers with disabilities are calling for simplification of the
impossibly complex web of disability program rules, fairness and
consistency in the application of the rules, and elimination of
those rules that penalize work. In particular, blind consumers are
calling for an end to the "earnings cliff"--the loss of SSDI cash
benefits and the ultimate loss of health care coverage merely by
earning one dollar in wages above the prescribed limits. Congress
should enact a gradual reduction in SSDI benefits as earnings
increase. Such a reduction might look like the current scheme
applicable to retirees age 62-64 who see a reduction of one dollar
in Social Security benefits for every two dollars in earnings they
make over the threshold. Enacting this change will eliminate the
pernicious earnings cliff.
Additionally, Congress should eliminate the two-year waiting period
for Medicare coverage imposed on SSDI beneficiaries and provide
for extended Medicare coverage for those who return to work. Congress
should also expand access to personal assistance services under
Medicaid, such as attendant care, readers and personal assistance
with transportation to-and-from work.
Finally, AFB remains committed to the principle of restoring the
statutory linkage that once existed between blind SSDI beneficiaries
and retirees age 65-69. Restoring this Social Security Act
cross-reference would raise substantially the earnings limit
applicable to beneficiaries who are blind.
AFB urges the President and Congress to move quickly to enact these
much needed incentives to work. By enacting these changes, we will
go a long way toward creating a social insurance program based on
common sense and sound public policy. With a jobless rate among
people who are blind remaining at approximately 74%, we need to
craft public policy that provides people who are blind with the
tools to achieve independence.
For further information, contact:
Mark Richert
Governmental Relations Representative
American Foundation for the Blind
Governmental Relations Group
820 First Street, N.E., Suite 400
Washington, DC 20002
202-408-8170
202-289-7880 Fax
mrichert@afb.net E-mail
In keeping with our goal to achieve equality of information access
for people who are blind or visually impaired, this document is
available, upon request, in the following accessible formats: IBM
computer diskette, braille, cassette, and large print.
|
