Newt Gingrich Op-Ed: Reform of Social Security Disability Benefits Could Help Move Countless Americans Toward Greater Sense of Their Own Capabilities

Washington, D.C. - Emerging scientific and technologic breakthroughs represent a generational opportunity for the Trump Administration and Congress to empower Americans with disabilities to seek new work opportunities, writes former House Speaker Newt Gingrich in an op-ed for the New York Sun.

Highlighting a recent hearing of the Ways and Means Committee, Speaker Gingrich notes while more than half of Americans with disabilities who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance and/or Supplemental Security Income benefits have an interest in working, only a small fraction are able to do so due to existing red tape and government policies that discourage employment and obscure work opportunities for beneficiaries:

"…60 percent of those on Social Security Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income would like to work. However, less than one percent of the Disability Insurance beneficiaries have been able to leave the program for work.

"Clearly, we need to develop an entirely new paradigm for helping people with physical and mental challenges. Fortunately, emerging technological and scientific revolutions will enable us to undertake a profound and wonderful shift in how we approach policy and people."

READ: Five Key Moments: Hearing on Barriers to Work for People with Disabilities

As the Committee's recent hearing highlighted, the advent of new technologies, such as AI, and advancements in neuroscience and robotics, have the potential to create personalized solutions for individuals with disabilities that can open a pathway to less social isolation and fuller, healthier, happier lives. Gingrich writes:

"Imagine that we had a steady, focused effort to use all the emerging technologies to develop a wide range of enabling solutions. Each person's unique physical or mental challenge could be matched up with one or more technologies that enable them to lead dramatically more productive and enjoyable lives."

Speaker Gingrich: Reform of Social Security Disability Benefits Could Help Move Countless Americans Toward Greater Sense of Their Own Capabilities