Two Proposed Listings Changes And One New Final Listing

     Social Security has published in the Federal Register Notices of Proposed Rule-Making (NPRMs) for new Listings for genitourinary and respiratory system disorders and also a notice of a final rule establishing a new Listing for congenital disorders that affect multiple body systems. The National Association of Disability Examiners (NADE) had expressed concern when the multiple body system Listing was proposed. NADE believed that the new Listing would establish a significant and unrealistic barrier that would prevent many persons with Down Syndrome from qualifying for disability benefits. However, NADE was the only commenter on this proposal. I hope that ARC carefully reviewed this and that NADE was wrong. ARC gave Commissioner Astrue a big award. They wouldn't have done that if Astrue was about to dramatically harm people with Down Syndrome, would they? Would Social Security really want to deny benefits to people with Down Syndrome? I hope not.