Tucson Standard

U.S. Congressman Juan Ciscomani has reintroduced a bipartisan initiative aimed at enhancing work opportunities and benefits for working adults with disabilities. The proposed legislation, known as the Ensuring Access to Medicaid Buy-In Programs Act (H.R. 1598), seeks to remove the age cap on Medicaid buy-in programs for individuals with disabilities who choose to remain in the workforce.

Under current regulations, people with disabilities can earn above traditional income eligibility limits while retaining essential benefits like long-term care services by paying premiums for their Medicaid coverage. However, upon reaching 65 years of age, they are no longer eligible for this program and must wait until they turn 67 to receive Social Security benefits. This gap effectively penalizes those who wish to continue working beyond the age limit.

Ciscomani's legislation aims to address this issue by allowing these individuals to keep working and paying taxes while still receiving necessary care and benefits. "Working adults with disabilities should never have to choose between a paycheck and their benefits," stated Ciscomani. He emphasized that lifting the age limit would ensure that those over 65 could maintain vital Medicaid benefits while continuing their employment.

Joining Ciscomani in this legislative effort is Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez from Washington's 3rd district. She highlighted the difficult choice faced by people with disabilities under the current system: limiting their income to retain Medicaid care or losing coverage by continuing to work. Gluesenkamp Perez expressed support for expanding eligibility beyond age 65, allowing more individuals in Southwest Washington and elsewhere to stay active in their communities and decide whether to keep working until they qualify for Social Security benefits or longer.

The full text of the bill is available for public reading.