Summary
A new bill has been proposed in the U.S. Congress to allow terminally ill Americans to receive their Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits without the usual five-month waiting period. The Immediate Access for the Terminally Ill Act aims to provide immediate benefits to those diagnosed with diseases that have no known cure and a life expectancy of five years or less.
Key Facts
- The bill was introduced by Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger and Senator Mike Lee.
- Currently, terminally ill individuals must wait five months to receive SSDI benefits.
- The bill would remove the waiting period for those with a disease on the Social Security Compassionate Allowance List.
- Eligible individuals could receive benefits immediately with a 7% reduction, or wait five months for full benefits.
- Patient advocacy groups like NOSSCR support the bill, stating it helps vulnerable individuals.
- Terminally ill Americans with a life expectancy of five years or less would be affected.
- The proposed legislation seeks to provide timely support for end-of-life care.
