A. Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall be known and may be cited as the "Oklahoma Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act", as authorized by Section 1305 et seq., 42 U.S.C., the federal Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act of 1999, Public Law 106-170.

B. The purposes of the Oklahoma Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act are to:

1. Provide employment and training preparation, placement services and health care coverage to working individuals with disabilities by enabling them to reduce their dependency on Social Security Disability Insurance or Supplemental Security Income cash benefit programs;

2. Provide individuals with disabilities who receive Supplemental Security Income cash benefits the ability to purchase Medicaid coverage enabling them to maintain health care coverage while working; and

3. Ensure that programs and services provided to persons with disabilities produce productive outcomes.

C. The Oklahoma Legislature recognizes the following findings:

1. It is important to support programs that provide training and employment services to individuals with disabilities in order to help them lead productive work lives;

2. Health care coverage is important to all individuals and is particularly important to individuals with disabilities who often cannot afford the insurance available to them through the private market;

3. Many individuals with disabilities fear losing health care coverage, including necessary support services, which ultimately hinders the individuals from maximizing their employment, earning potential, and independence;

4. Many Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries risk losing Medicare or Medicaid coverage that is linked to their existing cash benefits, a risk that is an equal, or greater, work disincentive than the loss of cash benefits associated with obtaining work;

5. Many individuals with disabilities have greater opportunities for employment than ever before, aided by important public policy initiatives such as the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.), advancements in public understanding of disability, and innovations in assistive technology, medical treatment, and rehabilitation; and

6. Creating financial incentive work programs, providing better choices in obtaining training and placement services, maintaining health care coverage while working, and redesigning existing service-related programs may eliminate barriers to work for persons with disabilities and may greatly improve their short- and long-term financial and personal well-being.

D. As used in the Oklahoma Ticket to Work and Work Incentives Improvement Act, "Medicaid" means the medical assistance program established in Title XIX of the Social Security Act, 42 U.S.C.A., Section 1396 et seq., and administered in this state by the Oklahoma Health Care Authority.

Added by Laws 2001, c. 365, § 1, emerg. eff. June 4, 2001.

NOTE: Editorially renumbered from § 166.8 of this title to avoid duplication in numbering.