Thousands in TN fall through health cracks
The peach pages that come in the mail and the letter that follows put thousands of Tennesseans in a deep blue funk so severe that some wonder if they can keep on living.
Social Security
The Hill (Washington, D.C.)
Disability-rights group protests at Ryan’s office over Medicaid
Several hundred demonstrators with disabilities gathered outside Rep. Paul Ryan’s (R-Wis.) office Tuesday to protest his budget’s proposed reduction in Medicaid funding.
The Washington Post
Incentives needed to retain disabled workers to slow Social Security costs, report says
The government should create incentives for employers to retain disabled workers on their payrolls as a way of slowing unsustainable increases in the number of people receiving Social Security disability benefits, according to a new report.
Los Angeles Times
Paul K. Longmore dies at 64; leading disability scholar and activist
Unable to use his hands because of a childhood bout with polio, Paul K. Longmore wrote his first book by punching a keyboard with a pen he held in his mouth. It took him 10 years, and when he was done, he burned a copy in front of the Federal Building downtown.
Minneapolis Star Tribune
Boomer disability may spell trouble
More baby boomers are having trouble with common physical tasks such as climbing stairs, stooping, walking a quarter mile or reaching overhead, a new study says.
The Ponte Vedra (Fla.) Recorder
their take: Floridians with disabilities must choose: Medicaid or job
For many Floridians with disabilities, the choice between competitive work and Medicaid assistance is all too real. While many of these citizens have a desire to work and contribute to the economic vitality of their communities, Florida law strongly discourages against this. To qualify for Medicaid assistance, individuals must not exceed a low-income and asset level. There are exceptions for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients; however, current policy limits their opportunities to work.
Olympia (Wash.) Newswire
Compromise Would Save Disability Program, But Cut 1,200
After weeks of negotiations on proposals that were far apart, the House and Senate have crafted a compromise bill to save the $339-a-month cash grant and medical coverage that the temporarily disabled receive through the state’s General Assistance-Unemployable program. But 1,200 people are expected to be cut from the GAU rolls on Sept. 1.
The Wall Street Journal
Social Security to Expand Fast-Track System
People with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease and 37 other medical conditions should get federal disability checks more quickly under an expansion of the Social Security Administration’s fast-track system, the agency said Thursday.
Olympia (Wash.) Newswire
Governor, legislator disagree on disability reform
He’s played in countries all over the world and in all 50 states. He’s appeared on “The David Letterman Show” and can be heard furiously playing his spoons on Frank Zappa’s “Civilization Phaze III.”
ABC News
Health Overhaul Leaves Gap for Disabled Workers
Disabled by chronic back pain and unable to afford medical insurance, Lea Walker hoped President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul would close a coverage gap that has trapped her and millions of other workers.