Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 113 Part 3.djvu/382

 113 STAT. 1900 PUBLIC LAW 106-170—DEC. 17, 1999 at the request of the pohcyholder if the poHcyholder is entitled to benefits under section 226(b) and is covered under a group health plan (as defined in section 1862(b)(l)(A)(v)). If such suspension occurs and if the policyholder or certificate holder loses coverage under the group health plan, such policy shall be automatically reinstituted (effective as of the date of such loss of coverage) under terms described in subsection (n)(6)(A)(ii) as of the loss of such coverage if the policyholder provides notice of loss of such coverage within 90 days after the date of such loss.". 42 USC 1395SS (b) EFFECTIVE DATE. —The amendments made by subsection note. (a) apply with respect to requests made after the date of the enactment of this Act. TITLE III—DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS AND STUDIES SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF DISABILITY INSURANCE PROGRAM DEM- ONSTRATION PROJECT AUTHORITY. (a) EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY.— Title II of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following new section: "DE MONSTRATION PROJECT AUTHORITY 42 USC 434. " SEC 234. (a) AUTHORITY.— "(1) IN GENERAL.— The Commissioner of Social Security (in this section referred to as the 'Commissioner') shall develop and carry out experiments and demonstration projects designed to determine the relative advantages and disadvantages of— "(A) various alternative methods of treating the work activity of individuals entitled to disability insurance benefits under section 223 or to monthly insurance benefits under section 202 based on such individual's disability (as defined in section 223(d)), including such methods as a reduction in benefits based on earnings, designed to encourage the return to work of such individuals; "(B) altering other limitations and conditions applicable to such individuals (including lengthening the trial work period (as defined in section 222(c)), altering the 24-month waiting period for hospital insurance benefits under section 226, altering the manner in which the program under this title is administered, earlier referral of such individuals for rehabilitation, and greater use of employers and others to develop, perform, and otherwise stimulate new forms of rehabilitation); and "(C) implementing sliding scale benefit offsets using variations in— "(i) the amount of the offset as a proportion of earned income; "(ii) the duration of the offset period; and "(iii) the method of determining the amount of income earned by such individuals, to the end that savings will accrue to the Trust Funds, or to otherwise promote the objectives or facilitate the administration of this title.

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