Duke 2008 | ASHE | Equity and Efficiency in Health and Healthcare

Government-sponsored disability insurance programs provide financial support to people who are unable to work because of disabling health conditions or disabilities. People on Supplemental Security Income program (SSI) receive Medicaid benefits, and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients may receive Medicare benefit. In December 2005, nearly 10.1 million people aged 18–64 received benefits on the basis of disability. Nearly 60% (6.0 million) received benefits from the SSDI program only, 29% (2.9 million) received benefits from the SSI program only, and 12% (1.2 million) received benefits from both programs. Besides these federal and federal-state programs, local efforts exist to return disabled to work. This panel will span local, state and federal programs that provide support for the disabled by presenting research on policy factors related to: local job coaching, Medicaid disabled beneficiaries and SSDI program. This panel presents a unique examination of research that spans the outcomes and effects of disability programs in the U.S. The first paper examines the labor outcomes of a job coaching program. The second paper will explore and innovative demonstration project targeted towards home based community care for the aged and disabled – Cash and Counseling Demonstration. The final paper uses newly available linked National Health Interview Survey data to Social Security Administration records to examine the labor force participation and health status of rejected DI applicants.