ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019

The ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019 (S.578) was signed into law by the President on December 22, 2020, during the 116th Congress. The bill amends Section 223(a)(1) of the Social Security Act to remove the five-month waiting period for disability insurance benefits for individuals medically determined to have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This applies to applications filed after the enactment date. The legislation passed the Senate 96-1 and the House without opposition, reflecting broad bipartisan support. There is no funding authorization or appropriation in this bill—it modifies eligibility rules for an existing entitlement program, Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). The Congressional Budget Office would score this as a minor increase in SSDI outlays, but no specific dollar amount is provided in the bill text. The policy area is Social Welfare, and the sponsor, Sen. Whitehouse (D-RI), is a senior senator but not a committee chair. The bill had 67 cosponsors, including bipartisan support, indicating strong legislative momentum. However, as a signed law, no further legislative steps remain. This bill does not create contracts, grants, tax credits, or regulatory changes that affect any publicly traded company. The affected population—individuals with ALS—is small, and the mechanism is purely administrative within the Social Security Administration. There is no convergence with other signals or procurement actions. The impact on markets is negligible.