From: Kelly Pierce
Subject: ticket to work proposal introduced
"(ii) such fixed percentage is set at a percentage which
does
not exceed 40 percent.
"(3) Outcome-milestone payment system.--
"(A) In general.--The outcome-milestone payment system shall
consist of a payment structure governing employment networks
electing
such system under paragraph (1)(A) which meets the requirements of
this paragraph.
"(B) Early payments upon attainment of milestones in advance of
outcome payment periods.--The outcome-milestone payment system
hall
provide for one or more milestones, with respect to beneficiaries
receiving services from an employment network under the Program,
which are directed toward the goal of permanent employment. Such
milestones shall form a part of a payment structure which provides,
in addition to payments made during outcome payment periods,
payments
made prior to outcome payment periods in amounts based on the
attainment of such milestones.
"(C) Limitation on total payments to employment network.--The
payment schedule of the outcome milestone payment system shall be
designed so that the total of the payments to the employment
etwork
with respect to each beneficiary is less than, on a net present
value
basis (using an interest rate determined by the Commissioner that
appropriately reflects the cost of funds faced by providers), the
total amount to which payments to the employment network with
respect
to the beneficiary would be limited if the employment network were
paid under the outcome payment system.
"(4) Definitions.--For purposes of this subsection--
"(A) Payment calculation base.--The term 'payment calculation
base' means, for any calendar year--
"(i) in connection with a title II disability beneficiary,
the average disability insurance benefit payable under section
223 for all beneficiaries for months during the preceding
calendar year, and
"(ii) in connection with a title XVI disability beneficiary
(who is not concurrently a title II disability beneficiary),
he
average payment of supplemental security income benefits based
on
disability payable under title XVI (excluding State
supplementation) to all beneficiaries having attained 18 years
of
age for months during the preceding calendar year.
"(B) Outcome payment period.--The term 'outcome payment period'
means, in connection with an individual who is a disabled
beneficiary, a period--
"(i) beginning with the first month--
"(I) for which benefits are not payable to such
individual by reason of engagement in substantial gainful
activity, and
"(II) which ends after such beneficiary has assigned a
ticket to work and self-sufficiency to an employment
network,
and
"(ii) ending with the 60th month (consecutive or otherwise)
following the first month for which benefits are not payable to
such individual by reason of engagement in work activity.
"(5) Periodic review and alterations of prescribed schedules.--
"(A) Percentages and periods.--The Commissioner of Social
Security shall periodically review the percentages specified in
paragraphs (2)(C) and (3)(C) and the period of time specified in
paragraph (4)(B) to determine whether such percentages and such
period provide an adequate incentive for employment networks to
assist beneficiaries to enter the workforce, while providing for
appropriate economies. The Commissioner may alter any of such
percentages or such period of time to the extent that the
Commissioner determines, on the basis of the Commissioner's review
under this paragraph, that such an alteration would better provide
the incentive and economies described in the preceding sentence.
"(B) Number and amount of milestone payments.--The Commissioner
shall periodically review the number and amounts of milestone
payments initially established by the Commissioner pursuant to this
section to determine whether to allow an adequate incentive for
employment networks to assist beneficiaries to enter the workforce,
taking into account information provided to the Commissioner by
program managers, the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Advisory
Panel, and other reliable sources. The Commissioner may from time
o
time alter the number and amounts of milestone payments initially
established by the Commissioner pursuant to this section to the
extent that the Commissioner determines that such an alteration
would
allow an adequate incentive for employment networks to assist
beneficiaries to enter the workforce. Such alteration shall be
ased
on information provided to the Commissioner by program managers,
he
Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Advisory Panel, or other
reliable
sources.
"(i) Authorizations.--
"(1) Title ii disability beneficiaries.--There are authorized to be
transferred from the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund
and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund each fiscal year such
sums as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section
with
respect to title II disability beneficiaries. Money paid from the Trust
Funds under this section with respect to title II disability
beneficiaries who are entitled to benefits under section 223 or who are
entitled to benefits under section 202(d) on the basis of the wages and
self-employment income of such beneficiaries, shall be charged to the
Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund, and all other money paid from
the Trust Funds under this section shall be charged to the Federal Old-
Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund. The Commissioner of Social
Security shall determine according to such methods and procedures as
shall be prescribed under this section--
"(A) the total amount to be paid to program managers and
employment networks under this section, and
"(B) subject to the provisions of the preceding sentence, the
amount which should be charged to each of the Trust Funds.
"(2) Title xvi disability beneficiaries.--Amounts authorized to be
appropriated to the Social Security Administration under section 1601
(as
in effect pursuant to the amendments made by section 301 of the Social
Security Amendments of 1972) shall include amounts necessary to carry
out
the provisions of this section with respect to title XVI disability
beneficiaries.
"(j) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
"(1) Disabled beneficiary.--The term 'disabled beneficiary' means a
title II disability beneficiary or a title XVI disability beneficiary.
"(2) Title ii disability beneficiary.--The term 'title II
isability
beneficiary' means an individual entitled to disability insurance
benefits under section 223 or to monthly insurance benefits under
section
202 based on such individual's disability (as defined in section
223(d)).
An individual is a title II disability beneficiary for each month for
which such individual is entitled to such benefits.
"(3) Title xvi disability beneficiary.--The term 'title XVI
disability beneficiary' means an individual eligible for supplemental
security income benefits under title XVI on the basis of blindness
(within the meaning of section 1614(a)(2)) or disability (within the
meaning of section 1614(a)(3)). An individual is a title XVI disability
beneficiary for each month for which such individual is eligible for
such
benefits.
"(k) Regulations.--The Commissioner of Social Security shall prescribe
such regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this
section.".
(b) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) Amendments to title ii.--
(A) Section 222(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 422(a)) is repealed.
(B) Section 222(b) of such Act is repealed.
(C) Section 225(b)(1) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 425(b)(1)) is
amended by striking "a program of vocational rehabilitation
services"
and inserting "a program consisting of the Ticket to Work and Self-
Sufficiency Program under section 1147 or another program of
vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, or other
support services".
(2) Amendments to title xvi.--
(A) Section 1615(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1382d(a)) is amended
to read as follows:
"Sec. 1615. (a) In the case of any blind or disabled individual who--
"(1) has not attained age 16, and
"(2) with respect to whom benefits are paid under this title,
the Commissioner of Social Security shall make provision for referral of
such
individual to the appropriate State agency administering the State program
under title V.".
(B) Section 1615(c) of such Act is repealed.
(c) Effective Date.--Subject to subsection (d), the amendments made by
subsections (a) and (b) shall take effect with the first month following
ne
year after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(d) Graduated Implementation of Program.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 360 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Commissioner of Social Security shall
commence
implementation of the amendments made by this section (other than
paragraphs (1)(B) and (2)(B) of subsection (b)) in graduated phases at
phase-in sites selected by the Commissioner. Such phase-in sites shall
be
selected so as to ensure, prior to full implementation of the Ticket to
Work and Self-Sufficiency Program, the development and refinement of
referral processes, payment systems, computer linkages, management
information systems, and administrative processes necessary to provide
for full implementation of such amendments.
(2) Requirements.--Implementation of the Program at each phase-in
site shall be carried out on a wide enough scale to permit a thorough
evaluation of the alternative methods under consideration, so as to
ensure that the most efficacious methods are determined and in place
or
full implementation of the Program on a timely basis.
(3) Full implementation.--The Commissioner shall ensure that the
Program is fully implemented as soon as practicable on or after the
effective date specified in subsection (c) but not later than six years
after such date.
(4) Ongoing evaluation of program.--
(A) In general.--The Commissioner shall design and conduct a
series of evaluations to assess the cost-effectiveness of
ctivities
carried out under this section and the amendments made thereby, as
well as the effects of this section and the amendments made thereby
on work outcomes for beneficiaries receiving tickets to work and
self-sufficiency under the Program.
(B) Methodology.--
(i) Design and implementation.--The Commissioner shall
design
the series of evaluations after receiving relevant advice from
experts in the fields of disability, vocational rehabilitation,
and program evaluation. In designing and carrying out such
evaluations, the Commissioner shall consult with the
omptroller
General of the United States and other agencies of the Federal
Government and with private organizations with appropriate
expertise. Before provision of services begins under any phase
of
Program implementation, the Commissioner shall ensure that
lans
for such evaluations and data collection methods are in place
and
ready for implementation.
(ii) Specific matters to be addressed.--Each such
valuation
shall address (but is not limited to):
(I) the annual cost (including net cost) of the Program
and the annual cost (including net cost) that would have
been
incurred in the absence of the Program;
(II) the determinants of return to work, including the
characteristics of beneficiaries in receipt of tickets
nder
the Program;
(III) the types of employment services, vocational
rehabilitation services, and other support services
furnished
to beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program
ho
return to work and to those who do not return to work;
(IV) the duration of employment services, vocational
rehabilitation services, and other support services
furnished
to beneficiaries in receipt of tickets under the Program
ho
return to work and the duration of such services furnished
to
those who do not return to work and the cost to employment
networks of furnishing such services;
(V) the employment outcomes, including wages,
occupations, benefits, and hours worked, of beneficiaries
who
return to work after receiving tickets under the Program
nd
those who return to work without receiving such tickets;
(VI) the characteristics of providers whose services
re
provided within an employment network under the Program;
(VII) the extent (if any) to which employment networks
display a greater willingness to provide services to
disabled
beneficiaries;
(VIII) the characteristics (including employment
outcomes) of those beneficiaries who receive services under
the outcome payment system and of those beneficiaries who
---
---------------
* Origin: NFBnet Internet Email Gateway (1:282/1045)
|