CW: Poverty
Some of Congress’s most prominent advocates for home and community-based services, Supplemental Security Income reform, competitive integrated employment, and other disability rights issues are leaving. Some by choice and others by election.
In particular, Sens. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) lost their reelection attempts last month. Casey who has served three terms has long been an advocate for disability rights issues. Senator Sherrod Brown championed the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act.
Casey was a key figure in the passage of the ABLE Act. The ABLE (The Achieving a Better Life Experience) Act introduced tax-advantaged savings accounts for disabled people so they can save money without losing their Medicaid or SSI benefits.
Money in an ABLE Account can be used on anything that is considered a qualified disability expense. A qualified disability expense can include costs related to housing, healthcare, food, and education, among other things.
In 2022, Casey passed the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which expanded ABLE account eligibility to anyone who is disabled before the age of 46. Casey and Sen. Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, have presented the Ensuring Nationwide Access to a Better Life Experience Act, or ENABLE Act, which would expand the benefits of ABLE accounts for disabled people and their caregivers. The bill was forwarded to the Senate’s finance committee in June.
Casey has also backed legislation to address guardianships, higher education improving Medicaid home and community-based services, and phase out the subminimum wage, among other issues.
Casey used his position as chair of the Senate Aging Committee to address disability policy issues according to advocates. “We see the loss of Senator Casey as pretty huge,” said Kim Musheno, vice president of public policy at the Autism Society of America. “While we have a number or disability champions in the Senate, Casey carved out a big portion of his portfolio for disability issues with dedicated staff.”
Senator Sherrod Brown championed the SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act. The bill aimed to modernize asset limits, allowing beneficiaries to save more money without losing their benefits. These limits have not been updated since 1989. Unfortunately, it did not pass.
Senator Brown and Senator Casey’s advocacy was deeply appreciated by many in the disability community. Disabled Americans deserve the same opportunities as nondisabled Americans. It is past time to fix the programs that millions of us rely on.
Sources:
“Casey Introduces Bills to Make Higher Education More Accessible for Students with Disabilities.” Senator Bob Casey, The United States Senate , 21 May 2024, http://www.casey.senate.gov/news/releases/casey-introduces-bills-to-make-higher-education-more-accessible-for-students-with-disabilities#.
Diament, Michelle. “On Capitol Hill, Key Disability Champions Set to Depart.” Disability Scoop, Disability Scoop, 2 Dec. 2024, http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/12/02/on-capitol-hill-key-disability-champions-set-to-depart/31186/.
“How Can Funds Be Used?” ABLE National Resource Center, ABLE National Resource Center, 10 Feb. 2021, https://www.ablenrc.org/get-started/what-can-funds-be-used-for/.
Konish, Lorie. “Bipartisan Bill Aims to Update Rules for Federal Benefits for Elderly, Disabled.” CNBC, CNBC, 2 May 2022, https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/02/senate-bill-seeks-to-update-supplemental-security-income-asset-rules.html.
Luterman, Sara. “A Disability Policy Champion’s Time in Congress Has Come to an End.” The 19th, The 19th, 22 Nov. 2024, 19thnews.org/2024/11/bob-casey-disability-policy-concedes-pennsylvania-senate-seat/.
Parrott, Sharon. “Important Investments, Significant Disappointments in Year-End Legislation.” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 20 Dec. 2022, https://www.cbpp.org/press/statements/important-investments-significant-disappointments-in-year-end-legislation.
Raabe, Keegan. “New Bills Introduced to Help PA Students with Disabilities to Get a Higher Education.” WTAJ, CBS, 21 May 2024, http://www.wtaj.com/news/regional-news/new-bills-introduced-to-help-pa-students-with-disabilities-to-get-a-higher-education/amp/.