Res. No. 2003 Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Senate to adopt S. 1691-a and the Governor to subsequently sign such bill and its companion Assembly bill A. 734-a, legislation which would enable disabled workers to "buy-in" to the Medicaid program. Body By Council Members Clarke, Malave-Dilan, Henry, Linares and Pinkett; also Council Members Eisland, Freed, Harrison, Marshall, Michels and Stabile Whereas, The New York City Council Subcommittee on Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Alcoholism Services ("the Subcommittee") held a hearing, on April 23, 2001, entitled "Employment Opportunities for the Mentally Challenged and Those Suffering From Alcoholism" (the "hearing"), at which testimony was given that indicated that mentally ill, mentally retarded, developmentally disabled and other disabled people have traditionally been employed, if at all, in what can be characterized as "menial tasks"; and Whereas, Testimony taken at the Subcommittee hearing indicated that the mentally ill, the mentally retarded and other disabled people are increasingly accessing meaningful integrated employment; and Whereas, The Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies stated that "[t]he current Medicaid system with its hard means-test cut-off strongly discourages people with mental disabilities from seeking employment lest they lose their Medicaid benefits"; and Whereas, The Memorandum in Support of New York State Senate Bill 1691-a ("the Memorandum"), which would allow disabled workers to "buy-in" to the Medicaid program by paying premiums on a sliding scale based on their individual incomes, states that "people with severe disabilities who are capable of working often keep their earnings low, in order to retain their Medicaid coverage"; and Whereas, According to the Memorandum, severely disabled individuals cannot purchase adequate insurance on the private market because the insurance products available in the commercial marketplace do not address their exceptional needs; and Whereas, The New York State Assembly has already passed the companion bill to Senate Bill 1691-a, Assembly Bill 734-a; and Whereas, New York State Senate Bill 1691-a has been referred to the Committee on Social Services; and Whereas, In his year 2001 State of the State address, Governor Pataki expressed his belief that "[p]eople with disabilities should not have to choose between going to work and having health insurance"; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Senate to adopt S. 1691-a and the Governor to subsequently sign such bill and its companion Assembly bill A. 734-a, legislation which would enable disabled workers to "buy-in" to the Medicaid program. LS#4458 PS:ts 07/19/01 |10
13| |1013| |1013|