Bill Overview
Title: Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act
Description: This bill makes various changes to Social Security benefits, including to expedite disability benefit payments to individuals with certain terminal medical diseases or conditions.
Sponsors: Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
Target Audience
Population: People with terminal illnesses needing expedited Social Security benefits
Estimated Size: 500000
- The bill is designed to impact those individuals who are terminally ill.
- The definition of terminal illness generally means a disease that is expected to lead to death within a short period of time, usually six months or less.
- According to global health statistics, millions of people are diagnosed with terminal illnesses each year, including cancer, advanced heart disease, and ALS.
- Access to expedited disability benefits would typically apply to those individuals who are still economically active or are close to the retirement age when diagnosed.
- This bill addresses the financial burdens on terminally ill individuals around the world.
Reasoning
- The target population is the terminally ill, expected to live less than six months, creating a focused group for expedited benefits.
- The budget constraints require prioritizing those most in need, likely working or on the cusp of retirement and needing quick financial support.
- Some will not be impacted if they already receive benefits or do not qualify based on current employment.
- The emotional and financial stress expected might show immediate wellbeing changes if the policy provides rapid assistance.
Simulated Interviews
Truck Driver (New York, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am worried about my family's future without my income.
- This policy might really make our last months less stressful by reducing financial worries.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 0 |
Accountant (Dallas, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having quick access to benefits ensures I can focus on spending quality time with my family.
- Navigating bureaucracy would be a burden right now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 1 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 50 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could relieve the stress of depleting my savings quickly.
- The thought of leaving my partner with debts terrifies me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 2 |
Teacher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I can’t afford to wait months for financial help.
- This policy might ensure stability for my child's future when I'm gone.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 0 |
Self-employed (Miami, FL)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Insurance covers some, but ongoing treatment costs are overwhelming without income.
- Expedited benefits can be a lifeline during such times.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 1 |
Retired Nurse (Seattle, WA)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I’m grateful to already have some benefits, but extra help covers end-of-life costs.
- Having less financial stress allows me more peace.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
Factory Worker (Detroit, MI)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Navigating new policies isn’t easy, but it might help not to worry about mortgage payments.
- Short time and financial burden are a tough combination.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 0 |
Receptionist (Boston, MA)
Age: 63 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having benefits early lessens the stress of being unable to work.
- Want more time focusing on family, not finances.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 2 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 1 |
Construction Worker (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 0.5 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm uncertain what future financial help I would get without this act.
- Relief from financial worries would be a huge relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 2 |
| Year 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Year 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 1 |
| Year 20 | 1 | 0 |
Writer (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 67 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy likely won't change much for me as I am already retired.
- However, if it helps others in dire situations, it seems beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $9000000000 (Low: $8000000000, High: $10000000000)
Year 2: $9100000000 (Low: $8100000000, High: $10100000000)
Year 3: $9200000000 (Low: $8200000000, High: $10200000000)
Year 5: $9400000000 (Low: $8400000000, High: $10400000000)
Year 10: $9700000000 (Low: $8700000000, High: $10700000000)
Year 100: $15000000000 (Low: $13500000000, High: $16500000000)
Key Considerations
- Beneficiaries are those diagnosed with terminal illnesses needing financial support quickly, a group typically substantial in need yet limited in size relative to the broader Social Security audience.
- Potentially high initial setup and reconfiguration costs for the SSA to adjust systems for expedited processing.
- Ongoing administration costs may fluctuate based on the rate of participation and the efficiency of the expedited processing system.