Mar 16, 2013

House Oversight Committee Gets On The Disability Bandwagon

     From the Washington Free Beacon:
Fraud could be a major reason that the number of people enrolled in Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) has risen so dramatically over the past 10 years, according to two letters written by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
The number of enrollees in the program grew by almost 60 percent between 2003 and 2012, from 5.58 million to 8.82 million people, the March 11 letter to acting commissioner of the Social Security Administration Carolyn Colvin says. This rate of growth is twice what the previous decade experienced.
The increase is likely not coming from people who actually need the care, the letter contends. Fraudulent enrollment and improper payments are pushing up the numbers.
The letter, signed by Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R., Calif.) and two subcommittee chairmen, points out “significant management problems that lead to misspending within the program.” ...
The second letter from the Oversight Committee, addressed to New York Regional commissioner Beatrice Disman and also sent on March 11, notes where the program’s exposure to fraud is the greatest.
“In recent years, Puerto Rico has emerged as ‘one of the easiest places’ in the country to qualify for and receive benefits through SSDI,” the chairmen write, referencing a Wall Street Journal article. New York’s Social Security commissioner oversees the programs in Puerto Rico.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Could this be the "Astrue Miracle?"

Anonymous said...

Fraud as it relates to disability determinations is virtually nobn-existent, but it keeps being rolled out endlessly as an explanation for why more people are receiving benefits. How about--aging Baby boomer population, poor diet, lack of exercise, drug and alcohol abuse, tobacco use, the list could go on.

Anonymous said...

whoops--"non-existent"

Anonymous said...

As Steve Goff's testimony indicated, it's a natural demographic outcome easily remedied. But the right wing lurkers here will be whining away shortly, echoing Issa and crowd.

Anonymous said...

Republicons spent mr clinton surplus on wars and now they want to strip social security to balance the budget. I wonder how many americans beleive that is the right thing to do?

I also noticed during the republicon cpac convention somewhat sensable republicons were left out(Mcdonnell,christe).

What does this say about the conservative party?

Anonymous said...

So should we be paying people who doomed themselves via poor diet, lack of excercise, drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse? Disability beyond ones control is one thing, but things you list are just bad choices.

Anonymous said...

not sure if 12:17 is trying to be a very sneaky troll or what--

If you can, with a straight face, call McDonnell and Christie even somewhat "sensible," I think that's all one needs to know about the current state of the Republican Party.

Anonymous said...

I have had three blatant fraud/similar fault hearings in the past 6 weeks. I am talking blatant. Much like the poll voter that voted for Obama 6 times in Ohio and didn't think there was anything wrong with it..

Anonymous said...

I postd 12:17 PM, March 17, 2013.

I live in virginia. I'm a democrat.

I can honestly say at this point i have not noticed any hardcore republicon foolishness from mcdonnell.

He seems dedicated to growing virginia jobs. So he seems sensible compared to other possibly Tea party backed politicians who wants to limit or eliminate social security.

I still would not vote for a republicon.