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: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with Disabilities Seeking SSDI and Medicare Coverage
Estimated Size: 10000000
- Currently, individuals must wait 5 months to start receiving SSDI benefits after being deemed eligible. This bill will remove that wait, impacting individuals waiting for SSDI benefits.
- There is currently a 24-month waiting period to become eligible for Medicare after SSDI benefits begin. This bill will remove that wait, allowing immediate enrollment into Medicare for individuals who cannot afford coverage.
- According to the Social Security Administration, approximately 8.2 million people were receiving SSDI benefits as of 2022.
- The elimination of these waiting periods will directly impact individuals who are diagnosed with disabilities annually.
- Given the substantial number of SSDI beneficiaries, the number of people affected by the onset of disability each year is significant.
- In the US, there are approximately 1 million new SSDI awards per year, demonstrating the immediate annual impact of removing these waiting periods.
Reasoning
- The policy mainly impacts individuals who are awaiting receiving SSDI benefits as well as Medicare coverage. This constitutes a large number of people because annually there are nearly 1 million SSDI awards, and there are currently around 8.2 million SSDI recipients who may benefit from this policy in future cases.
- The policy will have the most significant benefits for disabled individuals who lack immediate financial resources or health coverage, eliminating financial and health care insecurity.
- The policy's budget allows for immediate impact primarily on those entering the SSDI system, estimated at about 1 million new cases annually.
- The simulation includes various populations, including those who are directly impacted by the removal of waiting periods and those who, due to insurance or financial stability, might not experience as significant a change in wellbeing.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed - awaiting SSDI (Kansas, MO)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been struggling to make ends meet as I wait for my SSDI benefits to kick in. Immediate access would make my life much easier.
- Getting Medicare immediately would relieve my anxiety over healthcare costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Former construction worker (Rural Georgia)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The rule to wait 5 months for benefits is tough. Any faster access to SSDI and Medicare would be a lifeline.
- Being in a rural area makes immediate Medicare critical as coverage options are limited.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Unemployed - awaiting SSDI (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 32 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The immediate access to both SSDI and Medicare would significantly reduce my financial strain.
- Living in an expensive area makes rapid benefit access even more crucial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retail worker transitioning to SSDI (Seattle, WA)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 2
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Waiting for SSDI and healthcare coverage is daunting without sufficient income.
- Young people could especially benefit from immediate access and avoid financial crisis.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 2 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Retired engineer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 61 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 1.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Policy will not change much for me personally as I already have coverage through my spouse.
- It's crucial for people without insurance; it will provide significant relief.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Freelancer transitioning to SSDI (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Immediate SSDI and Medicare access would provide a safety net as my freelance income is unpredictable.
- This policy offers stability during a time of great uncertainty.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Restaurant manager - awaiting SSDI (New York, NY)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 3
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Living in a high-cost area makes waiting for SSDI benefits unsustainable.
- Immediate access means I can focus on managing my health without constant financial worry.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Insurance sales (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 47 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Immediate benefits would be useful but not essential for me as I've saved prudently.
- However, this is vital for those without savings.
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 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Retired - receiving SSDI (Houston, TX)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Had I been able to access SSDI immediately, the early years would have been less stressful.
- The policy is critical for future generations facing similar situations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Journalist - awaiting SSDI (Denver, CO)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The current wait for benefits adds unnecessary stress to an already difficult situation.
- Access to support programs immediately could drastically improve quality of life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000000 (Low: $13000000000, High: $17000000000)
Year 2: $15500000000 (Low: $13500000000, High: $17500000000)
Year 3: $16000000000 (Low: $14000000000, High: $18000000000)
Year 5: $17000000000 (Low: $15000000000, High: $19000000000)
Year 10: $19000000000 (Low: $17000000000, High: $21000000000)
Year 100: $50000000000 (Low: $45000000000, High: $55000000000)
Key Considerations
- The initial increase in SSDI and Medicare costs must be weighed against potential indirect savings from improved health outcomes.
- The impact on state Medicaid programs depending on individuals' movement between Medicare and Medicaid coverage.
- Long-term effects may entail changes in workforce participation by disabled individuals due to improved timely access to healthcare resources.