|
Washington, DC -- U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), introduced legislation last week entitled the Dean Gallo Cancer Patient Compassion Act of 2006 that would waive the 24 month Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) waiting period for terminal cancer patients who are uninsured. The legislation, HR 5615, is named in memory of former New Jersey Congressman Dean Gallo, who passed away in 1994 after a battle with prostate cancer.
The New Jersey lawmaker, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee, said he introduced the legislation because currently people with disabilities who qualify for SSDI must endure a 24 month waiting period before obtaining Medicare coverage. He noted that many of the patients who qualify suffer from debilitating illnesses, including cancer, and are in desperate need of medical treatment.
"Uninsured cancer patients are often in need of immediate care," Pallone said. "The sooner they can begin treatment, the better their quality of life will be. These patients simply cannot afford to wait two years to qualify for Medicare coverage."
The SSDI program provides benefits to disabled workers under the full retirement age (and to some spouses, surviving disabled spouses, and children) in amounts related to the disabled worker’s former earnings in covered employment. Under current law, uninsured disabled individuals must be enrolled in SSDI for 24 months before they can receive coverage under Medicare for their medical expenses.
"Exemptions to the SSDI waiting period exist now for individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and end-stage renal disease," Pallone said. "Under this legislation such an exception would also be put into effect for individuals suffering with terminal cancer."
Pallone's Dean Gallo Cancer Compassion Act of 2006 is currently before the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee awaiting a hearing. |
