Bill Overview
Title: Stop the Wait Act of 2022
Description: This bill allows individuals with disabilities to begin receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in the month they become eligible for the benefits. It also allows these individuals to immediately enroll in Medicare if they cannot afford minimum essential coverage. (Under current law, an individual must generally wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.)
Sponsors: Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-35]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with disabilities eligible for immediate SSDI benefits
Estimated Size: 9000000
- The bill targets individuals with disabilities who are eligible for SSDI benefits.
- According to the Social Security Administration, in 2020, about 8.2 million people received SSDI benefits, indicating a substantial target population globally.
- The bill also targets individuals who are newly eligible for SSDI benefits, which averages around 800,000 new awards annually.
- The World Health Organization reports about 1 billion people live with disabilities, but only those in countries with similar disability insurance as the US are immediately relevant.
- Thus, the broader international scope would only count similar populations who have equivalent systems.
Reasoning
- The Stop the Wait Act aims to alleviate financial and healthcare access burdens on individuals with disabilities by eliminating waiting periods for SSDI benefits and Medicare.
- The $10 billion budget for year 1 and $134.25 billion over 10 years suggests prioritizing individuals recently diagnosed or those struggling financially without these early interventions.
- The potential population benefitting annually (around 9 million) represents both current and new SSDI recipients. However, the actual number directly benefitting quickly will be those newly diagnosed and lacking adequate healthcare coverage.
- Including a range of individuals from various occupations and socio-economic backgrounds in the simulation will highlight different impacts within the target group.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed (Ohio)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy shifts my future abruptly. I can finally manage my condition without the economic burden.
- Accessing Medicare immediately would reduce stress and health deterioration.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Part-time Retail Worker (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been worried about covering healthcare costs since my diagnosis, existing job options aren't enough.
- Immediate eligibility for health and financial support would transform my quality of life significantly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Florida)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I was worried I'd need to ask my children for more support.
- The thought of no longer waiting almost brings tears of relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Student (New York)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy means a new future for me in terms of staying in school.
- Without it, my education and health both are shaky prospects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Freelancer (Texas)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm in constant worry of losing my home trying to afford necessary treatments.
- Being able to access benefits immediately would grant peace of mind and health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Technical Support (Nevada)
Age: 35 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It would alleviate a lot of what keeps me up at night, stressing over long-term disability without support.
- I'd feel secure, knowing I'm not leaving my family in a tight spot.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Factory Worker (Georgia)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's about securing a lifetime of support sooner rather than later.
- With the policy, I wouldn't need to drain my limited savings just for healthcare.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Stay-at-home Parent (Minnesota)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- With the policy, I'd have the health infrastructure to keep managing my condition.
- Without it, the burden would ripple through my family financially and emotionally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Restaurant Manager (Illinois)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This transition has been difficult, the policy would significantly ease this phase.
- Immediate access to health coverage prevents further downward spirals into debt.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Administrative Assistant (Virginia)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy shields me during unexpected employment gaps.
- Without it, I'd probably face a mountain of debt just from being sick.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000000 (Low: $8000000000, High: $12000000000)
Year 2: $11000000000 (Low: $9000000000, High: $13000000000)
Year 3: $12000000000 (Low: $10000000000, High: $14000000000)
Year 5: $13500000000 (Low: $11000000000, High: $16000000000)
Year 10: $16000000000 (Low: $13000000000, High: $19000000000)
Year 100: $25000000000 (Low: $20000000000, High: $30000000000)
Key Considerations
- The elimination of wait periods for SSDI and Medicare could face implementation challenges needing administrative adjustments.
- Projected impacts on Medicare and SSDI trust funds should be carefully monitored.
- The policy might have significant bipartisan appeal due to its focus on assisting individuals with disabilities.