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In reply to the discussion: NY 14 AOC edges out rightwing false flag opponent. [View all]JonLP24
(29,322 posts)Andrew Yang wants to sell you universal basic income. Beware if you have disabilities.
Andrew Yangs success, however, demands that Americans take him seriously as a candidate. Unfortunately, he and his campaign make this task difficult, particularly when it comes to disability policy. Every major candidate has addressed the issue of care for disabled and elderly Americans. And while no platform is perfect, most candidates have a basic understanding of the social safety net, or at least their advisers do. Except maybe Yangs.
On Monday, Yang finally released his health care policy plan, with a section on people with disabilities. I read it. I also read his book, The War on Normal People, combed his website on details about disability programs, and asked his campaign for comment. And as a disabled person who has relied on various social safety net programs in the past, I am still left confused as to how disability benefits would be affected by the centerpiece of Yangs policies, universal basic income, or what he calls the Freedom Dividend. His health care policies for disabled people also raise more questions than answers.
How Yangs Freedom Dividend affects disability benefits
With the Freedom Dividend, the government would pay every American $1,000 per month, no strings attached. This is unlikely to ever make it through Congress. But lets say, for the sake of argument, that it did. Then what would happen to disability benefits?
It is difficult to analyze the impact of the Freedom Dividend on other social safety net programs like Social Security, Medicaid, or food stamps. Andrew Yangs new health care plan and the Care for People with Disabilities section say absolutely nothing on the matter. When Vox contacted Yangs campaign for clarification, his national press secretary insisted that Yangs plan touches on aspects of disability benefits, but did not explain how or in what way. I was repeatedly given answers and sent links to parts of the website that were totally irrelevant to the questions Id asked.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/first-person/2019/12/19/21026925/andrew-yang-disability-policy
Kahn supported Yang's UBI.