Okla. Stat. tit. 74, § 74-166.10

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 347

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.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 74. State Government Page 348

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.