Today, most Americans participate in reaching for the American Dream. It is a mindset that allows them to live happily, working to achieve their level of desired success. Although this dream is reached by many, it is often out of reach for the incapacitated members of our society. Those suffering from physical and mental handicaps have a greater struggle to attain this life than the average American. They must work harder and prove themselves better than the stereotypes attached to their disabilities. There is a hidden problem, however, that is made clear when the incapacitated work more than they are “supposed to”, as designated by the government.
The only choice for many mentally handicap people, in order to keep their healthcare without losing their income-generating potential, is to be put on Medicare and allowed access to Social Security Disability (SSD) benefits. This allows these individuals to minimize the assistance needed from government and family, and eventually live in a long-term care facility. Some handicap individuals, however, are able and eager to work part-time jobs in their communities. This is actually a problem. If the individual begins making “too much money”, as defined by the Social Security Administration, they will be forced to work less (likely, less than 15 hours per week) or the administration will terminate the individual’s SSD and Medicare benefits. An example would be an individual who is able to make $12,000 a year working only a part-time job, due to their handicap. After paying FICA taxes, state taxes, and health care insurance, they would be lucky to make $7,000 annually, which is less than what they would make if covered by SSD and Medicare benefits.
This should not happen. Our State and Federal governments should not be discouraging independence and financially penalizing individuals who want to contribute to our society. Appropriate legislation would allow individuals to “buy-in” to the Medicare Program and work full-time or several part-time jobs and actually purchase their own insurance. This would allow these individuals to purchase their benefits through the Medicaid Program and receive pro-active health care, allowing them to retain their independence and contribution to our society. This type of legislation has been considered before and needs to be reconsidered and accepted in the near future.
Many of the concepts and opinions developed in these blogs have their origins in Eye on Elder Issues, a continuing publication of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Visit the academy website at www.naela.org