WALLY HERGER: “I rise in strong support of this legislation, which makes vitally needed reforms in the SSI disability and disability…”

“I rise in strong support of this legislation, which makes vitally needed reforms in the SSI disability and disability insurance programs. For too long we have allowed our disability programs to endanger the lives of drug addicts and alcoholics by simply providing them cash to feed their habits. Additionally, we have not taken steps to ensure that representative payees are responsible parties like treatment centers or Government agencies. As a result, one Denver liquor store owner was collecting $140,000 annually to run a tab for 40 alcoholics on our disability rolls. This legislation make vitally needed reforms to ensure that only responsible parties are named as representative payees for drug addicts or alcoholics. It also will end the practice of making huge lump sum payments to addicts. Finally, it imposes a lifetime limit of 36 months for disability benefits resulting from substance abuse. Treatment providers have told me this is critical to ensuring that addicts have an incentive for beating their habit and sticking with their rehabilitation programs. Mr. Speaker, I urge the immediate adoption of this legislation.”