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MEMORANDUM TO SENATOR DOLE

DA: April 1, 1995
FR: Alec Vachon
RE: UPDATE/"HOT BUTTON" DISABILITY ISSUES IN GREAT BRITAIN 

RE YOUR MEETING ON MONDAY WITH PRIME MINISTER MAJOR: 

BRITISH ADA BILL PASSES THE HOUSE OF COMMONS 

* On Wednesday, March 2th, the Major Government sent its ADA bill to the House of Lords after winning narrowly some tough votes. As I have written you, passing an ADA bill has been a big controversity in Britain since last May-- when the Minister for Social Security, Nick Scott, was accused of lying to Commons over behind-the scenes maneuvers to block an ADA bill from coming to a vote. He was forced to resign in August. The Government then promised to introduce an ADA bill in Fall 1994. According to press reports, there have a mass demonstrations at Parliament by disability advocates over the past few months.

* The bill bans discrimination in employment and private accommodations; creates a National Disability Council; and increases accessibility to buses and trains. Among the most controversial issues: coverage people w/ mental disabilities and HIV in the employment, and transportation provisions.

* As you may recall, last July five Members of Parliament met with me to talk about ADA. In September 1994, I met with the new British Minister of Social Security, William Hague (35-year old wunderkin who was a favorite of Margaret Thatcher), to discuss ADA as well. Most recently,

MAJOR GOVERNMENT TO DROP 325,000 PERSONS OFF DISABILITY ROLLS 

* On April 13th, the Major Government will implement (1) new eligibility criteria for disability benefits-- which are expected to cut 325,000 off the rolls- -and (2) lower the benefit amount. To get/keep benefits, people will have to pass a strict functional limitations test (unless terminally ill or very severely disabled)-- and no longer will age, education, or work skills be counted. The key change is to eliminate an individual's doctor as the chief source of information-- and to use more objective tests.

* Over the past 10 years, long-term disability rolls have doubled from 740,000 to 1.6 million persons --mostly because (like the U.S.) people are coming on the rolls at younger ages and staying on the rolls. This shake-up is expected to save almost $2 bilion each year-- and is the biggest-ever welfare cut in Britain.

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* The Brits are mindful that these changes could backfire-- and have apparently worked out a plan to make sure that every person who is to be dropped gets a detailed letter explaining the reasons. 

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