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Congresswoman Beatty Introduces the Return to Work Awareness Act

October 29, 2013

Beatty Introduces the Return to Work Awareness Act

Legislation to Support Survivors of Debilitating Illnesses

(Washington, D.C.) – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) released the following statement detailing a bill she sponsored, H.R. 3351, to assist survivors of stroke and other debilitating health occurrences in returning to work.

On October 28, 2013, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty introduced legislation that would assist survivors of stroke and other debilitating health occurrences in returning to work through the support of the Job Accommodation Network (JAN). JAN is one of several services provided by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and represents the most comprehensive job accommodation resource available for guidance on disability employment issues. H.R. 3351 authorizes the Secretary of Labor to disseminate information to employers and survivors on how to return to work and improve employability.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a leading cause of long-term, severe disability for Americans. Stroke and other debilitating health occurrences often have a major impact on survivors’ ability to return to work. As the U.S. population grows older and we see an increase in survival rates of these debilitating illnesses, this inability to return to work will have a noticeable impact on our nation’s future workforce. This legislation will promote awareness and provide assistance to both employers, survivors, and their families.

“This legislation, if enacted, improves the employability of survivors of debilitating illnesses and demonstrates to employers the most effective ways to capitalize on their value and talent.”

“An increasing amount of survivors are returning to work and we need to have information and resources in place to help transition these individuals back into the workplace to aid both the employer and survivor.”

“I have and will continue to advocate, raise awareness, and demonstrate my commitment to assisting survivors as they return to the workforce and hopefully support some of the work done by the five outstanding stroke centers in Franklin County, Ohio: Riverside Methodist, The Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center, Grant Medical Center, Mount Carmel East and Mount Carmel West.”

Greg Beswick I Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03) I District and Communications Director I 614.220.0003