James M. Jeffords: “Today there are millions of people with disabilities who want to work but just cannot. Why? Because the day they start…”

“Today there are millions of people with disabilities who want to work but just cannot. Why? Because the day they start work they lose access to affordable health insurance. These bright, intelligent, and very willing individuals are denied the right that every other citizen in this Nation has--the right to work. We have the responsibility to reverse this desperate situation and grant people with disabilities the right to become productive, taxpaying workers. Last week, I introduced legislation with Senator Kennedy and Senator Harkin entitled the Work Incentives Improvement Act. This bill will reform Social Security's work incentive programs and remove employment barriers for people with a disability. This legislation was developed over many months with the help of the disability community, the Social Security Administration, the Health Care Financing Administration and other congressional offices. This bill will end the insurmountable health barriers to individuals who wish to work. Our friends with disabilities do not need an incentive to work. They want to work.”