Editorial: Eliminate Catch-22 for disabled in U.S.

Wednesday, June 9, 1999 | 10:19 a.m.

One of the barriers preventing the disabled from joining the work force is the fear of losing their government health insurance if they get a job. Federal law prohibits the disabled from keeping their Medicare or Medicaid coverage if they are employed. The severely disabled often are presented with a Catch-22: Either they keep their health insurance and remain unemployed, or they find a job but lose their health insurance.

The medical bills for many are much more than they ever could expect to earn. One such individual is Alana Theriault of Berkeley, Calif. As the New York Times reported Monday, Theriault has gone back to school to learn computer programming and, once she gets her certificate, she anticipates being offered a job paying as much as $50,000 a year. But Theriault has spinal muscular atrophy. This condition requires a rented respirator to breathe ($2,900 a month) and a personal attendant more than eight hours a day ($1,700 a month). Her salary couldn't come close to paying her medical bills.

There may be hope, though. President Clinton is seeking legislation that would allow disabled Americans to maintain their federal health insurance, permitting them to buy into these programs while at the same time holding a job. Despite the fact that more than 70 senators support this legislation, the bill has stalled in the Senate. Last Friday Clinton called on Congress to act now, sending the bill to him by July 26, the ninth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. There is no need for further delays on this worthy legislation, which will ensure that the disabled will not have to face the awful predicament of having to choose between health insurance and a job.