tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19246708.post7549227117535248917..comments2024-03-27T20:39:24.337-04:00Comments on Social Security News: Hatch Introduces Bill To Force Social Security To "Modernize" Grid RulesUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19246708.post-64031618144948293092015-05-28T23:41:54.492-04:002015-05-28T23:41:54.492-04:00The Grids are unlikely to be significantly changed...The Grids are unlikely to be significantly changed if at all; previous proposed rulemakings have died a quick death. Also even if the Republicans could pass a bill tightening standards and somehow convince Obama to sign it, the social workers running SSA would find a way to subvert the changes just as was done with child's SSI with the invention of "functionally equals".Anonymous 42https://www.blogger.com/profile/13090193899484639229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19246708.post-16397606341773375972015-05-28T15:36:57.131-04:002015-05-28T15:36:57.131-04:00I agree, 12:56, that an argument can be made that ...I agree, 12:56, that an argument can be made that the Grids should be "loosened" to reflect today's job market that contains less sedentary/light unskilled jobs. However, like all SSD advocates, I hold my breath whenever I read anything from a Congressman and just hope that things don't get tougher for the claimants and those who represent them. Wouldn't it be nice, though, to have the Grids start at age 48... Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19246708.post-205664613821907042015-05-28T12:56:52.433-04:002015-05-28T12:56:52.433-04:00I agree that the grids should be changed. The age...I agree that the grids should be changed. The age categories should be reduced to 48 at sedentary and 53 at light to account for the decrease in sedentary and light unskilled jobs and the increased barrier to entry into the skilled job market. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19246708.post-82803397163769577332015-05-28T06:43:21.893-04:002015-05-28T06:43:21.893-04:00So the Republicans are now trying to make us belie...So the Republicans are now trying to make us believe that the effects of age on the human body and mind have somehow changed in the past few decades so the rules need to be "modernized"? Hah!<br /><br />No doubt Chuck has it right. Republicans sit around thinking about proposals that keep people with disabilities off the program even when they can't keep a job. Then they put a bunch of cosmetics on it and try to sell it as "modernizing" or "reform".<br /><br />It's bad enough that they are trying to make changes that would likely make thousands of people with disabilities suffer and prematurely die (yes that is what can happen to people with disabilities who lack necessary income or support and have no way of getting it through work). Transparently trying to trick the public about their aims adds an element of insult. They lack the courage to be honest about their aims because they know how unpopular they are. Well, Mr. Hatch, we're not fooled. When you wash all the makeup off your proposal it reads "Republicans Want To Cut Your Social Security Benefits." Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19246708.post-19425404317077301712015-05-27T21:52:34.863-04:002015-05-27T21:52:34.863-04:00Charles - A couple of things. First, this news is ...Charles - A couple of things. First, this news is 3 weeks old. He introduced the bills in early May. So, the connection to the Kentucky stuff is, I think, a little off. But, more significantly, this is just another step in the continuing crusade by the GOP to make sure that everyone in the country understands how broken the disability program is. The three proposals are all stupid, to some degree or another. (The "Informed Choice" one is of no value. No online tool is going to substitute for a qualified counselor in helping navigate the Byzantine system of work incentives. The "Disability Evidence" item is yet another solution in search of a problem. And the "Grid" item only requires SSA to do what it is already doing--slowly. Nothing of substance.) It's all political posturing. They know that none of these will see the light of day. They just want the headline. That way, a few more people will think: "Oh, yea. I remember hearing about how bad that program is." One small step on a long path toward re-educating the public in preparation for the real action to come. But, this isn't it, yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19246708.post-38442629424815638502015-05-27T18:44:21.810-04:002015-05-27T18:44:21.810-04:00Meanwhile, how does this address the immediate con...Meanwhile, how does this address the immediate concerns with the DI trust fund? It does not. And any real affect it may have on the disability rolls remains to be seen. Without seeing the actual bill language it all seems pretty vague.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19246708.post-42803566254789342722015-05-27T16:41:23.650-04:002015-05-27T16:41:23.650-04:00http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Disability-chec...http://www.wkyt.com/home/headlines/Disability-checks-stopped-for-clients-of-Ky-attorney-targeted-in-fraud-investigation-305103791.html<br /><br />SSA has problems. This article may support changes to the program.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19246708.post-24620841146063641232015-05-27T16:15:18.698-04:002015-05-27T16:15:18.698-04:00So Senator Hatch doesn't make any suggestions ...So Senator Hatch doesn't make any suggestions on how to "modernize" the Grids himself. So SSA is given a lot of latitude on how they choose to update the Grids. Besides perhaps getting rid of the illiteracy bump to those 45-49, does anyone think SSA would actually bump the Grid ages up so as to make disability more difficult. How binding on SSA is a bill like this which doesn't give any specifics or time frames?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com