CITY OF JEFFERSON — Springfield lawmakers are proposing looser guidelines for Missouri’s program to help people with disabilities access health care under Medicaid.
Republican Congressman Melanie Stinnett House Bill 970 Extends the rules of Ticket to Work Health Guarantee Programgrants employed people with disabilities ages 16 to 64 access to Medicaid.
Not only would this measure give people with disabilities eligible for the program the ability to earn more before it was phased out, but it would also change the total earnings under the program to the first spouse’s earnings. Exempts $50,000. Under current law, anyone earning above the federal poverty level (approximately $14,000 for a single-person household) must pay premiums to participate in the program. The spouse’s current income limit is also significantly lower.
“Individuals with disabilities working in our community may wish to have more time, or may wish to seek a new position with endless pay raises and opportunities.” said Stinnett. “Now they are restricted from doing that without losing the really critical health care they need.”
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Various versions of the legislation have been proposed over the past few years, often with support on both sides of the aisle, but have failed to gain significant momentum. , founder of a speech therapy clinic focused on advocacy for people with disabilities.
Not only does this law have the potential to solve the labor shortage around Missouri, it will also make it more encouraging for people with disabilities to marry, who currently have to balance their decisions with their income. argued Stinnett.
“I think it’s a strong concern, and I don’t think it will be supported by either side,” she said. to do
At Tuesday’s House committee hearings, disability advocates and organizations expressed strong support for the bill. I didn’t object.
“It’s not a choice my peers and colleagues without disabilities have to make,” said Rachel Baskerville on behalf of the Missouri Developmental Disabilities Council. We have to work our way to some basic freedoms.”
Bill Requires State Agencies to Adopt ‘Jobs First’ Policy
Another bill, sponsored by Stinnett, House Bill 971, requires government agencies to coordinate with each other and educate persons with disabilities about competitive employment opportunities. It also calls for the implementation of a “jobs first” policy where an integrated and competitive work environment is the first choice for people with disabilities.
Marquita Warner, who works for UCP Heartland, Jefferson’s disability services and support organization, said she “has benefited greatly” from the “jobs first” policy.
“We shouldn’t be limited to workshops that don’t even pay minimum wage just because they’re visually impaired or have a wheelchair or cane,” Warner said.
The law also requires the state administration, which oversees state staffing and contracting, to submit an annual report documenting employment data for persons with disabilities.
I got support from both sides of the aisle. Lake Ozark Republican Rep. Lisa Thomas called it “long overdue.” And Shrewsbury Democrat Rep. Sarah Ansicker said it was essential that people with disabilities be “able to work to the fullest.”
Galen Bacharier covers Missouri politics and government for News-Leader.please contact him [email protected] or on twitter @galenbacharier.
