Resolution D: End Medicare Waiting Period Resolution

WHEREAS: The Social Security Administration’s Office of the Chief Actuary has estimated

that “an illustrative family whose breadwinner becomes permanently disabled can receive a lifetime benefit of $353,000 from Social Security disability insurance,” and;

WHEREAS: 16,000 Americans with disabilities die during the 24-month Medicare waiting period that the law imposes on them, and;

WHEREAS: The deaths of 16,000 Americans with disabilities represents a $5.6 billion savings

to the taxpayers, and;

WHEREAS: Tax reduction should be based upon fair and humane considerations, and the consequence of the Medicare waiting period is neither fair nor humane, and;

WHEREAS: Senate Bill 700, “Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009”, is co-sponsored by Senator Tim Johnson but has been stalled in the Committee on Finance since March 2009, and;

WHEREAS: H.R. 1708, “Ending the Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009”, has been stalled in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where it was referred to the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials in March 2009;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: The South Dakota Democratic Party applauds Senator Tim Johnson’s efforts to end needless deaths of Americans with disabilities and calls for the Senate and House to bring out of committee the bills to end the “Medicare Disability Waiting Period Act of 2009” and to pass those bills.