Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - July 11, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke signs legislation expanding Medicaid eligibility for the disabled

REDMOND – Gov. Gary Locke today signed legislation that will enable low- and moderate-income people with disabilities to work without fear of losing their Medicaid benefits.

The governor signed House Bill 2230 at a ceremony at Microsoft’s Redmond campus. The legislation will implement the federal “Ticket to Work” program that permits people with disabilities to earn up to 450% of the federal poverty level yet still retain Medicaid health coverage.

“Today is a watershed moment for our citizens with disabilities, and we all have reason to celebrate,” Locke said. “It’s difficult to fathom -- nearly four decades after the Civil Rights Act -- that we continue to tolerate barriers to employment for Americans with disabilities.”

“But today you and I resolve to right this wrong, to set forth on a new course, and to enhance the lives of our working citizens with disabilities,” the governor continued.

Rep. Eileen Cody, prime sponsor of the legislation, joined Locke at the bill signing.

"I'm gratified we've finally taken the handcuffs off disabled people who want the dignity of working and paying taxes without losing their Medicaid coverage,” Cody said. “The unemployment rate among the disabled hovers at 70 percent, not because most disabled folks can't work, but because the system has been set up to punish them if they do."

The program will be administered by the Department of Social and Health Services and will become available early next year.

“This is a positive bill because it gives people with disabilities the financial incentive to improve their lives through their own creativity, enterprise and hard work,” said Dennis Braddock, DSHS secretary. “At the same time, it continues to provide the Medicaid safety net they need.”

Representatives Kathy Lambert, Al O'Brien, Cheryl Pflug, Laura Ruderman, Helen Sommers and Steve Van Luven and Senators Pat Thibaudeau and Darlene Fairley also joined Locke at the ceremony.

Locke thanked Cody and other bill supporters for their work in getting the legislation passed.

The governor noted that other companies should look to Microsoft as an example of equal and fair employment for people with disabilities.

“Innovative corporations such as Microsoft recognize the value and importance of Americans with disabilities,” said Locke. “Just as lawmakers sweep clear some of the bureaucratic obstacles, I hope that the business community steps up to emulate the Microsoft model of equal and fair employment. It’s the right thing to do, and it enriches and ennobles the lives of all Americans.”

Janice Hertz, director of Microsoft’s Accessible Technology Group, joined Locke and the legislators at the bill signing.

“Technology is eliminating some of the barriers people with disabilities face when entering the workforce and because of this, we at Microsoft will continue to evolve the accessibility of our products to ensure more opportunities in the future,” said Hertz. “With House Bill 2230, the governor and the Legislature have taken an important step in eliminating another barrier faced by people with disabilities who want to enter the workforce.”

As a result of this legislation people with disabilities will be able to earn more money and purchase Medicaid coverage for an amount based on a sliding income scale. Four hundred and fifty percent of the poverty level is an annual income of $38,664 for an individual and $46,386 for a couple.

The budget allocates $620,000 in state funds plus approximately $1 million in federal funds for fiscal year 2002 and $1,380,000 for fiscal year 2003 for the new “Medicaid Buy-In” program. The funding is expected to double in fiscal year 2003.

Medicaid is a state- and federally-funded health care program that serves about 700,000 low-income, aged and disabled Washington residents.

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Related Links:
- Rep. Eileen Cody
- Rep. Cheryl Pflug
- Sen. Pat Thibaudeau
- Sen. Darlene Fairley
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services
- Medicaid, Health Care Financing Administration
- Microsoft Accessible Technology Group
- Washington State House of Representatives
- Washington State Senate
- Washington State Legislature
- Rep. Steve Van Luven
- Rep. Laura Ruderman
- Rep. Al O'Brien
- Rep. Kathy Lambert
- Rep. Helen Sommers

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