Congressman Dan Goldman Pushes to Remove Harmful Health Care Barriers for Individuals with Disabilities

Congressman Dan Goldman joined Congressman Lloyd Doggett (TX-37) in introducing the ‘Stop the Wait Act’ to end waiting periods during which Americans with disabilities are denied access to Medicare. The legislation directs the Social Security Administration to phase out the five-month waiting period to receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and allow those who are uninsured or unable to afford health insurance to immediately receive Medicare coverage.    

Last Congress, Congressman Goldman and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) introduced the ‘Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Act’ to support individuals living with serious mental illnesses (SMI) such as schizophrenia, bipolar illness, and major depressive disorder. The legislation would create a new package of services under Medicaid that specifically aims to provide care to individuals living with SMI, sets national standards for SMI care, and incentivizes states to provide intensive community-based services to treat SMI.