THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

               PRESIDENT CLINTON COMMEMORATES SIGNING 
               OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 
              BY TAKING ACTIONS TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT 
       AND IMPROVE HEALTH CARE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
                           July 29, 1998

Today, in commemoration of the eighth anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the President is signing an Executive Memorandum aimed at increasing employment and health care options for people with disabilities. He is also announcing the release of a letter to Medicaid Directors clarifying that the ADA obligates states to offer appropriate community based services. Finally, to build on these actions, the President is also announcing his commitment to work with Senator Jeffords and Senator Kennedy to pass affordable, feasible legislation to help people with disabilities maintain their health care coverage and return to work. Today, the President visits a meeting with his Task Force on Employment of People with Disabilities and advocates of people with disabilities. In this meeting, the President is:

Signing A New Presidential Memorandum to Increase Employment and Health Care Options for People with Disabilities. While the ADA has been critically important to people with disabilities, significant challenges remain. Since 1993, 15 million new jobs have been created. But the unemployment rate among the 30 million working-age adults with disabilities continues to be much higher than that of the general population -- close to 75 percent for people with significant disabilities. The President signed an Executive Memorandum that will direct the relevant agencies to:

Expand Public Education About the Americans with Disabilities Act. Although more and more Americans are becoming aware of the ADA, too many employers and employees do not know their rights and responsibilities under the ADA. Today, the President is directing the Attorney General, the Chair of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to expand public education about the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 to employers, employees, and others whose rights may be affected, with special attention to small businesses and under-served populations.

Increase Information About New Medicaid Buy-in Option. Many people with disabilities are not able to leave Social Security programs to return to work because they will lose their health care coverage. As part of last year's Balanced Budget Act, the President signed into law a new state option to allow individuals with disabilities who return to work, the ability to purchase critically necessary Medicaid coverage as their earnings increase. Today, the President is directing the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that Governors, state legislators, and state Medicaid directors work with consumer organizations to take advantage of this important option.

Issuing Letter Clarifying That ADA Obligates States to Offer Appropriate Community Based Services. Recent court cases, including Helen L. vs. DiDario, have ruled that the ADA requires states to provide Medicaid services in the "most integrated setting appropriate" to people with disabilities. Today, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) is sending a letter to all State Medicaid Directors clarifying that under these standards, if an individual living in a facility could live in a community with the right mix of support services, reasonable steps should be taken, provided they do not fundamentally alter the state program.

Announcing Support For Policies to Improve Health Options for Working Adults With Disabilities. The President also announced his strong commitment to work with Senators Jeffords and Kennedy and other Members of Congress to pass affordable, feasible legislation that helps people with disabilities maintain their health care coverage and return to work. The Jeffords-Kennedy proposal would increase Medicaid options and state resources for people with disabilities. It would also allow all Americans receiving Social Security Disability Insurance to retain their Medicare when they return to work, eliminating a provision in current law that often requires people with disabilities to choose between work and health insurance. The President directs the Administration to utilize all of its policy and budgetary expertise at HHS, the Office of Management and Budget, and the White House to work towards the passage of affordable legislation before the Congress adjourns this year, consistent with the Administration's commitment to preserving the budget surplus.