From the final report of Social Security's Occupational Information Development Advisory Panel (OIDAP) (bolding in the original):
Central to OIDAP’s role as a Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) Panel, is transparency in its process. ...
To date, transparency in the process of developing occupational data for SSA’s disability programs has been achieved primarily through the OIDAP. SSA’s decision to discontinue the OIDAP beyond its 6 July 2012 charter, presents the additional challenge of maintaining transparency with this project in the future. ...
The OIDAP held its last public teleconference on 4 June 2012 and strongly advised SSA to maintain all development of occupational data for disability programs in a transparent and public arena, and to adhere to scientific standards and scrutiny. ...
At the OIDAP meeting on 4 June 2012, the Panel unanimously developed General Recommendation #9 about the transparency and scientific activities for future efforts ...
The OIDAP has not been consulted or involved in efforts for the future direction of occupational data development beyond the public meeting on 4 June 2012. ...
The OIDAP brought transparency to SSA’s occupational information development process that impacts the lives of millions of Americans. We believe SSA must continue this transparency as it develops any occupational information that will affect decision-making in the disability programs. ...
Failure to fully ensure the scientific veracity of the occupational taxonomy, data collection instrument, sampling strategy, and sources of data or data collection methods, will make SSA vulnerable to legitimate litigation. ...
Further, SSA should consider external oversight, including establishing an oversight body involving technical experts and users, as part of future efforts and initiatives for occupational information development.And I didn't think that OIDAP itself was anywhere near transparent enough itself! Anyone still think I'm paranoid about what Social Security is up to with its occupational information system project?
By the way, OIDAP sent this report out as an e-mail attachment to those on its mailing list. I've uploaded it to Scribd. Will Social Security post this final report online?
Here's the theme.
ReplyDeleteSS wants to update the antiquated systems and database that is currently used to determine whether jobs exist that allow for specific functional limitations/abilities.
There is considerable outside pressure to maintain the status quo (mostly from reps, who are afraid of change that may result in less favorable findings).
Keeping the process of making such changes quiet (internal) allows SSA to make those changes without undue outside pressure.
Or outside comment or critique. Justin
ReplyDeleteAstrue's legacy will be one of creating hostility where none is necessary and driving processing times down at the expense of due process. If this new OIDAP system ever comes to be, litigation will undo it and SSA will have wasted a considerable amount of time and money where they really have no time or money to waste.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.federaltimes.com/article/20120807/PERSONNEL03/308070002/SSA-offers-early-retirement-9-000-employees?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|FRONTPAGE
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