Communication with Ohio Senator Harris
Communication with Ohio Senator Harris
Dear Senator Harris, thank you for the opportunity to present in front of your committee as you deliberated the implications of the new Social Security Administration (SSA) Ticket to Work legislation. I appreciate your openness, and our frank discussion.
As I stated in my non-partisan remarks, the “Ticket” represents a unique opportunity to improve both the availability and quality of return-to-work services to Ohio citizens with disabilities. The most important result of extending Medicaid coverage will hopefully be the concurrent increase of the availability of services. Without a deregulation of rehab services by our State system, the new law will not be truly effective. The federal government in debating and creating this law wanted increased services, as well as increased benefits. To accomplish this goal, may I respectfully suggest a couple of recommendations:
1) The Ohio Rehab Services Commission (RSC) has established a taskforce to develop Ohio-based rules/regulations for the “Ticket” portion of the law. This taskforce should be chaired by an independent third party that does not have a proprietary interest in the outcome. Currently, RSC chairs the committee as both a service provider, AND a regulator or rule-maker of the new process.
2) RSC is currently searching for a new Director of their Agency. It is imperative that the Commissioners of RSC choose an individual who embraces the principles and precepts of the new SSA law. Approximately 40% of the consumers of RSC services are SSA beneficiaries, and they need such leadership.
3) RSC should be required to report to the Ohio legislature on the results of implementing “Ticket” in Ohio, both on the extension of healthcare to Medicaid recipients who return to work, as well as the extension of services to SSA beneficiaries who want/need help.
Unfortunately, without oversight and prodding, the best State agency will remain stagnant and resist necessary, even legislated, change. That is the overall mandate of the Ticket. I truly hope your committee embraces the law’s full intent.
Once again, thank you for the opportunity to present at your committee mtg., and to share these thoughts. I wish I could have attended more of the mtgs., and I look forward to reading your final report.