Posts filed under: Social Security

May 30, 2011
The Oklahoman
Sen. Tom Coburn worries disability program being used for unemployment benefits
Sen. Tom Coburn wants a meeting with the top Social Security Administration investigator to discuss the increase in people receiving disability payments, saying he's concerned that some may be using the program as “an extension of unemployment benefits.”

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Filed Under: public policy, Social Security

May 29, 2011
The Boston Globe
Mislabeling kids as ADHD? Investigate federal rules
GOOD INTENTIONS have gone awry in the federal program that gives cash benefits to families of disabled children, and a comprehensive assessment of the program’s weaknesses is the first step toward fixing it. Given the strong possibility that children are being misclassified as disabled to make their families eligible for checks of up to $700 a month, Congress should happily pay the $10 million or so needed to fund a study of the program by the well-regarded Institute of Medicine. And then it should quickly implement any changes based on the institute’s findings before more children are misclassified.

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Filed Under: learning disability, public policy, Social Security

May 23, 2011
Reynolds Center
Are there judges in your area who rarely deny disability claims?
Economic policy reporter Damian Paletta had a front-page story in The Wall Street Journal last week that quickly stirred outrage and prompted investigations. He reported on a Huntington, W.Va., judge who has approved Social Security disability benefits in 100 percent of the 729 cases appealed to him in the first six months of fiscal 2011. In the previous fiscal year, he decided 1,284 cases and awarded benefits in all but four.

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Filed Under: public policy, Social Security

May 21, 2011
The Tennessean
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.

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Filed Under: healthcare, public policy, Social Security

May 3, 2011
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.

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Filed Under: healthcare, long-term care, public policy, Social Security

Nov. 26, 2010
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.

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Filed Under: employment, public policy, Social Security

Aug. 15, 2010
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.

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Filed Under: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), education, employment, higher education, K-12, long-term care, physical accessibility, physical disability, profile, public policy, Social Security

June 17, 2010
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.

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Filed Under: healthcare, long-term care, physical disability, public policy, Social Security

March 19, 2010
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.

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Filed Under: employment, healthcare, Social Security

March 15, 2010
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.

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Filed Under: healthcare, housing, Social Security