Huntington’s Disease Disability Insurance Access Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-868
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2021-03-18
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Disability assistance

Hereditary and development disorders

Medicare

Neurological disorders
Latest action: action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Summaries:
action_date: 2021-03-18
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Huntington's Disease Disability Insurance Access Act of 2021</strong></p> <p>This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with Huntington's disease. This is an inherited disorder that causes brain cells to die, including in areas of the brain that help to control voluntary movement.</p> <p>Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with Huntington's disease. Under current law, individuals generally must wait five months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 868 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES March 18, 2021 Mrs. Gillibrand (for herself, Mr. Cassidy , and Mr. King ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance A BILL To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate the five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits under such title and waive the 24-month waiting period for Medicare eligibility for individuals with Huntington’s disease.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Huntington’s Disease Disability Insurance Access Act of 2021 . 2. Elimination of waiting period for social security disability insurance benefits for individuals with Huntington’s disease (a) In general Section 223(a)(1) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 423(a)(1) ) is amended, in the matter following subparagraph (E), by inserting or Huntington’s disease after amyotrophic lateral sclerosis . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply with respect to applications for disability insurance benefits filed after the date of the enactment of this Act. 3. Waiver of 24-month waiting period for coverage under the Medicare program for individuals with Huntington’s disease (a) In general Section 226(h) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 426(h) ) is amended, in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting or Huntington’s disease (HD) after amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) . (b) Effective date The amendment made by subsection (a) shall apply to benefits under title XVIII of the Social Security Act with respect to items and services furnished in months beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.