The state furloughs are “disappointingly cynical,” SSA Commissioner Michael Astrue said in an interview with Federal Times. “They understand they’re not saving any money and that it’s actually anti-stimulus because it’s taking money away from state’s citizens.” ...
Astrue said states he’s talked to clearly understand the ramifications of furloughing DDS employees, but they decided not to exempt them out of a sense of fairness to other state employees — a “triumph of spin over compassion,” Astrue said. ...Astrue said he’s made progress convincing some states to exempt DDS employees, but it’s an issue SSA may be tackling for the rest of the year, comparing it to the arcade game Whac-a-mole.“We think we have a contained situation and we make progress, and just when you think you’re done, two or three more pop up,” he said.
Apr 8, 2009
Astrue On Furloughs
From the Federal Times:
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5 comments:
It is utterly amazing that these Governors are comfortable being on the front line of stopping the processing of a large number of disability claims, stopping the inflow of federal money to their state, and affirmatively delaying benefits to thousands of potentially disabled people. The weakest of society, unable to work due to physical and/or mental impairments, remain faceless, unprocessed applications for an even longer period of time.
As the Federal Times article states, furloughing California DDS employees only 2 days per month, a 10% reduction in its processing capacity, delays about 2,375 disability cases per month, resulting in a delay of about $648,000 in benefits. Disabled people suffer "out of a sense of fairness to other state employees."
I think these Governors should personally and publicly have to apologize to every person whose claim is delayed where that person is subsequently found to be disabled. I doubt the superficial pursuit of "the appearance of fairness" would balance well against what these people were going through during their needless extra wait times.
And to think - doing this actually costs rather than saves these states money. Astrue actually said it well: "a triumph of spin over compassion."
Politics at its worst, and with a human cost.
I cannot add anything to your excellent comment. TTFN.
Everyone knows where the problem lies, but no one can fix it.
Government at its best.
The disabled are not a large enough, organized enough entity to be a real threat to politicians. The problems at SSA will not get the real attention of Congress until they start to affect large numbers of senior citizens (something the agency works hard to avoid) and the almighty AARP flexes its muscles. I have heard politicians comment that the AARP is the most powerful special interest group in the country.
AARP is important mainly in regard to Medicare. It's track record even there is not impressive. It has become an insurance agency and leaves good policy alone. Their support to Part D Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans has resulted in millions of dollars in subsidies going to insurance companies that would otherwise have been kept in the Medicare Trust Fund. Politicians say that and it's true, but because of AARP's insurance company backing, not us oldies.
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