If at first you don’t succeed, try and try again. This sage bit of wisdom certainly rings true in the nation’s capital. Trust me. I’ve been around the block enough times in Washington to know not to give up on what’s right.
Consider the hard-fought effort to modernize Medicare. Promises made on the campaign trail to bring the health insurance program for older and disabled Americans up-to-date took years to deliver. Those of us committed to adding a prescription drug benefit for the Medicare population withstood partisan attempts to derail the Republican-led effort. Thanks to the persistence of policymakers fueled by the persuasive power of public opinion, seniors and individuals with disabilities now have the opportunity to take advantage of prescription drug benefits available through Medicare for the first time ever.
As the lead Senate architect of the Medicare Modernization Act, I worked hard to secure the biggest improvements to Medicare in the program’s 38-year history. Finally, with a first-ever comprehensive prescription drug benefit available to all Medicare beneficiaries, we’ve welcomed Medicare into the 21st century practice of medicine.
Once I sink my teeth into an issue, I’m in it for the long haul. Just ask the Pentagon, the IRS or the FBI. Federal agencies know by now that I take my congressional oversight responsibilities seriously. The same goes for lawmaking. That includes my longstanding efforts to help middle-income families that have children with disabilities.
These hard-working parents set a good example for their children. They contribute their fair share to Uncle Sam. They ought to be recognized for their efforts to earn a living and provide for their families.
However, in some cases, parents of children with disabilities find themselves in a losing predicament. Strict income thresholds serve as a disincentive for parents to earn more at the risk of losing critical rehabilitation and other medical services covered by Medicaid for their children. That just doesn’t make any sense. It puts these parents in an unfathomable situation. Some must consider relinquishing custody of their own children just to retain health care services covered by Medicaid.
Policymakers ought to set public policy that encourages people to work hard and get ahead. That’s why I joined forces with the senior senator of Massachusetts, Ted Kennedy, to fix a flaw in the Medicaid law that sends the wrong signal to working parents.
Under current law, too many families are falling through the cracks. They are either turning down pay raises, over time or better-paying jobs to keep Medicaid health care coverage for their children with disabilities.
Our bill would allow more families with disabled children to remain eligible for Medicaid, the federal-state health insurance program for low-income families. It would enable states to create options for parents to buy into Medicaid while staying in the workforce.
On a sliding payment scale, families with incomes up to two-and-a-half times the poverty level would be allowed to buy Medicaid coverage for their disabled children. For a family of four, that’s approximately $47,000 a year.
Parents want to provide the best they can for their children. Congress should give states the flexibility to give families options without the federal government getting in the way.
In nearly five years, our legislation has twice passed the Senate Finance Committee and earned widespread support of more than two-thirds of our colleagues in the U.S. Senate. And for the first time, the full Senate in May approved the 'Family Opportunity Act.'
Although this is a big victory for the families struggling to retain appropriate medical services for their children with special needs, another hurdle remains. Namely, a companion bill is still under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Sometimes the pace in Congress reminds me of the turtle and the hare. Although I’d prefer to cross the finish line sooner rather than later, I take comfort knowing the right policy will prevail in due time.