SSAB Meeting Agenda

The Social Security Advisory Board has finally released the agenda for its meeting this afternoon. After looking at it, you will wonder why I took so long to produce this.

Social Security Advisory Board
Meeting Agenda
Thursday, September 21, 2006

1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Lisa de Soto, Deputy Commissioner for Disability

Adjudication and Review

The meeting will be held in the Board's conference room, Suite 625

400 Virginia Avenue, SW

Washington, DC

Bulk Claim Filing

The Request for Information below was posted by the Social Security Administration.

Purpose of RFI
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather information on behalf of the Social Security Administration (SSA). SSA is investigating new ways for people to file applications for SSA Retirement and Disability benefits. Among the options being considered is a process to collect bulk data from third parties who wish to assist claimants filing for SSA and/or other types of benefits. The goal of this RFI is to solicit input from potential third party providers to determine the need for and feasibility of SSA building a web service or other electronic means to obtain claims data in bulk from them.

The RFI results will enable SSA to project potential volumes, data quality, and other factors for a Cost Benefit Analysis of the concept. Ultimately, we will attempt to determine whether we can maximize the use of third party data to streamline the claims submittal process for both third parties and SSA, while ensuring there is sufficient data to constitute a claim for benefits upon which SSA can act.

Nothing in this document shall be construed as obligating the Government to issue a solicitation. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED BASED ON RESPONSES TO THIS RFI.
Background

SSA currently has some limited processes in place to allow third party professionals to assist claimants in filing electronic disability reports (the i3368PRO) and submitting medical evidence (Electronic Records Express) in support of their claims for disability benefits, but these must be accessed one claim at a time.
Basic Functionality
SSA is interested in expanding the relationship with third parties by allowing the submission of claims-related data to SSA in bulk. SSA would like to leverage the data that third parties may already have in their records, without requiring the labor-intensive process of keying information into a web interface one claim at a time.
Integration
There is a need for an automated way to get large volumes of data from the third party’s electronic data store into SSA’s legacy systems, to enable us to process claims to completion, while still maintaining the integrity of the data.

Long Term Vision

The long term vision for this project is to eventually collect data for Title II and Title XVI initial claims and appeals, including required disability reports, available medical evidence and any other relevant data a third party may have. The premise is that the data, once uploaded to SSA, would be funneled to the appropriate SSA legacy systems for processing.


Contents of the Response
Respondents should address the following questions and are invited to provide any additional comments relevant to the subject of bulk data transfer. Responding to as many questions as possible will allow us to perform a comprehensive analysis of the feasibility of this concept. Please identify by Heading / Number each question to which you are responding.


Data Description
1 Elements - What kind of data elements related to Social Security claims do you have in your records? (List all individual elements, if possible, otherwise describe nature of data – i.e. identification, contact, disability/medical, income/resources, work history, etc.)

2 Currency - How current is the data you maintain? How often is it updated?
3 Volumes – For how many individuals do you have Social Security claims-related data?
4 How many individuals do you expect to assist with filing a claim for SSA benefits this year? Do you expect this number to grow, shrink, or remain relatively unchanged in the next 3 years; next 5 years?
5 Access - Can the data be changed/modified once collected and if so, by whom?
Intake Process
6 Do you collect evidence or copies of evidence, such as birth certificates? How is the evidence stored? What is the source of the evidence?

7 How do you verify the identity of the person providing the data/evidence?
8 How do you record an individual’s agreement with the information in your records?
9 If you update the data or otherwise change it, do you obtain the subject’s agreement with the changed data?
10 If yes, how do you document these agreements?
11 Are these agreements stored?
12 How do you collect client data? (e.g. in-person interview, telephone contact, form self-completion, etc.)
13 Methods –
·1 If data collected in interview:
a) What is the format of the interview?
b) Are questions asked in standard ways? (Provide questions)
·1 If data collected by self-completion of forms:
c) Is there any review for accuracy, completeness, consistency?
d) Is there any verification of data through other sources? Provide copies of any forms used.
14 Do you record the method of collection if more than one method is used?
15 Do you require consent from individuals to share personal data?
16 How do you document consent and maintain this documentation?
Utilization
17 Do you collect data for any other purposes?
18 Do you exchange data with any other government (federal, state, local) agencies? Which agencies?
19 If you exchange bulk data with other agencies, what is the process?
20 Do you use any commercial software to collect data or transfer data to other agencies?
21 If you already submit claims for Social Security benefits or supporting information for claims, how many do you submit per year?
22 What methods do you use, or have you used, to provide data to SSA in the past? If you produce SSA forms, which forms do you produce (e.g. SSA-1, SSA-16, SSA-8000, SSA-3368, SSA-3441, SSA-827, SSA-821, SSA-1696, etc.)?
23 Do you currently have any processes or interfaces with any Social Security field offices in place (formal or informal)? If so, describe in full, including how you exchange or transfer information to SSA; provide the name, office address and phone number of your current SSA contacts.
24 Do you have a preferred method of providing bulk electronic claims-related data (i.e on more than one individual at a time) to SSA?
25 If there was information, needed by Social Security to file a claim for benefits that you do not already have, would you be willing to collect it?
26 Please provide any further information you consider relevant to the subject of bulk electronic data submission to SSA.

Technical Issues
27 What is the format of the data you store?
28 How is your data stored?
29 Who has access to the data you collect?
30 Describe your data security systems and procedures (physical and logical)
Submission of Responses to the RFI
We encourage those third parties who respond to provide SSA with as much information as possible about the kind and amount of data they can provide, and how they envision the data transmission process. We appreciate your efforts on this important initiative.

Send any questions and your responses by 10/31/2006 by email to the following mailbox: 3PBulkData@ssa.gov

Please include a name and phone number of whom to contact in the event there are questions regarding your submission.

Note: This is not a Request for Proposals. A contract will not be awarded based on submissions.

Baucus and Reid Warn President On Prizatization

The Democratic leader in the Senate, Harry Reid, and the ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, Max Baucus, have written the president to warn him against a renewed effort to privatize Social Security. The president's recent nomination of Michael Astrue to become Commissioner of Social Security and appointment of two ardent proponents of privatization to the Social Security Advisory Board may explain the timing of this letter. The text of the letter is below:

September 20, 2006 Dear Mr. President:

We are writing to express our deep concern about your recent statements that you remain committed to privatizing Social Security and will make privatization a top priority after this year's congressional elections.

We understand that you and most Republicans genuinely believe in privatization and remain strongly committed to pursuing this approach. However, we want to make clear that Democrats are just as adamantly opposed to privatization and remain strongly committed to defeating this seriously misguided proposal. We believe the American people are on our side in this debate, and for good reason.

Cutting Social Security's funding by diverting payroll taxes into privatized accounts, as you have proposed, would require deep cuts in guaranteed benefits and lead to a massive increase in borrowing. This would weaken Social Security, not strengthen it. The resulting benefit cuts would harm all seniors in the future, even those who prefer not to open a privatized account. Meanwhile, the massive new federal borrowing would weaken our economy, saddle future generations of Americans with trillions of additional debt and increase our economic dependence on China, Japan and other foreign nations.

Our country faces serious economic problems, including a tightening squeeze on the middle class, rising prices for gas, health care and college and a troubling long-term budget shortfall. We want to work with you on a bipartisan basis to address these challenges. However, we would strongly resist the privatization of Social Security, which would only make our fiscal problems worse and jeopardize Americans' retirement security. Therefore, as you develop your agenda for the post- election period, we strongly urge you to reject privatization and instead focus on bipartisan solutions to the most serious problems facing our nation.

Sincerely,

Harry Reid (D-Nev.), Democratic Leader

Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Ranking Member, Senate Finance Committee

GAO Report On Social Security Indexing

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report on different ways that Social Security benefits might be indexed for inflation. Basically, the report concerns the possibility of using a different formula that would reduce cost of living adjustments of current or future beneficiaries in order to save money. This report is a sign of the continued interest of Republicans in the Congress and the Executive Branch in reducing Social Security expenditures.

Non-Attorney Reps Who Passed July 2006 Exam To Obtain Withholding Of Fees

Below is the list of non-attorney representatives of Social Security claimants who passed the July 2006 examination to obtain withholding and direct payment of fees by the Social Security Administration:

Adkins, Marcia P. Fort Payne AL
Agosto, Daniel E. New York NY
Anderson, Cheri B. Leesville LA
Anderson, Edward R. Old Hickory TN
Arnett, Cynthia D. Yulee FL
Betts, Pamela R. Jefferson City MO
Brown, William L. Roanoke Rapids NC
Burns, Overton B. Leesville LA
Butler, Susan A. Jacksonville FL
Camacho-Mart, Felix M. Caguas PR
Collins, Kenneth W. Duncanville TX
Contreras, Dennis Concord CA
Cooper, James F. Leesburg FL
Coppage' Jeffrey A. Winston-Salem NC
Costa, Claudia Selden NY
Cowles, Alan L. Lawrence KS
Dorr, Timothy A. Leesburg FL
Dorsey, William L. Tyler TX
Ferrer, Victor M. Bronx NY
Francis, James S. Henderson KY
Goff, Colleen M. Covington GA
Hampton, Wanke H. Lakeland FL
Hartley, Patrick E. Rancho Mirage CA
Heyborne Rita M. Kansas City MO
Hinshaw, Douglas A. Gainesville FL
Hofer, Pamela D. Morehead KY
Hultine, Barton W. Hastings NE
Hundal, Richard S. Union City CA
Jennings, Christine H. Charleston SC
Johnson, Mary E. Highland CA
Johnson, Robin R. Baltimore MD
Joiner, Georgia K. Ocala FL
Kimbrough, Monica L. Cleveland OH
Kojoian, Rouben Los Angeles CA
Lamarca, Hillary A. Cleveland OH
Loiacono, Christopher L. Commack NY
Manukyan, Ruben Glendale CA
Maselli, Lisa K. Evans GA
Mathias, Lorna M. Fargo ND
McBride, William Baltimore MD
McCormack, Julie Jamaica Plain MA
McGreal, Georgia E. Sacramento CA
Miller, Erica A. Milford CT
Minich, David E. Springfield MO
Murphy, David J. Chicago IL
Nelson, Karen L. Edmond OK
Nielsen, Aaron M. Bonita CA
Nolden, Rodger W. Charlotte NC
Owen, Jeffrey L. Enid OK
Pancoast, Richard W. Ingleside TX
Persad, Randy Ingleside TX
Pittman, Kathy K. Bartlesville OK
Ramnauth, Mark New York NY
Rodgers, Carolyn R. Nashville TN
Rost, Linda S. Pittsfield MA
Rousseau, Rita L. Novi MI
Siderman, Lucy Brooklyn NY
Simpson, Chadwick Q. Irvine CA
Smothers, Vernon H. Lubbock TX
Spruance, Gilbert O. Jacksonville FL
Stovall, Baskin K. Nashville TN
Szydlowski, Richard K. Livonia MI
Terracina, Gloria B. San Antonio TX
Turley, Lucy J. Lexington KY
Vasquez, Jose A. New York NY
Warhola, Edna G. Henderson NV
Warren, William T. Anderson IN
Whatley, Teresa C. Alexander City AL
White, Brenda D. Baltimore MD
Wollman, Benjamin J. Milwaukee WI

Wyatt, Catherine T. Wadesboro NC

Astrue's Political Contributions

Below is a list provided by Newsmeat of the political contributions of Michael Astrue, President Bush's nominee to become the next Social Security Commissioner. This list may not be complete and it certainly looks like it is not up to date. However, if it is anything like accurate, Mr. Astrue has not been an easy touch for campaign funds.

Astrue, Michael Belmont, MA 02178 Transkaryotic Therapies/Executive	VOLUNTEER PAC	$5,000 primary	06/30/03
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178	HATCH, ORRIN G (R) Senate - UT HATCH ELECTION COMMITTEE INC	$500 primary	11/04/02
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02178 TKT INC	COLLINS, SUSAN M (R) Senate - ME COLLINS FOR SENATOR	$1,000 primary	01/14/02
Astrue, Michael Belmont, MA 02178 Trans. Therapies &Boston Univ./Sr.	PORTMAN, ROBERT J (R) House (OH 02) PORTMAN FOR CONGRESS COMMITTEE	$1,000 primary	07/12/01
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	FRIST, WILLIAM H (R) Senate - FRIST 2000 INC	$1,000 primary	02/22/00
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	FRIST, WILLIAM H (R) Senate - FRIST 2000 INC	$-500 primary	02/22/00
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	FRIST, WILLIAM H (R) Senate - FRIST 2000 INC	$500 general	02/22/00
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN INC	AMORELLO, MATTHEW J (R) House (MA 03) AMORELLO FOR CONGRESS	$200 general	09/29/98
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	FRIST, WILLIAM H (R) Senate - FRIST 2000 INC	$500 primary	04/10/97
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN INC	WELD, WILLIAM F (R) Senate - MA WELD FOR SENATE INC	$1,000 general	09/27/96
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN	BLUTE, PETER I (R) House (MA 03) PETER BLUTE FOR CONGRESS	$250 primary	06/27/96
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02178 BIOGEN INC	TEAGUE, EDWARD B (R) House (MA 10) TEAGUE FOR CONGRESS	$250 primary	04/24/96
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BROGEN INC	DOLE, ROBERT J (R) President DOLE FOR PRESIDENT INC	$50 primary	11/02/95
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BROGEN INC	DOLE, ROBERT J (R) President DOLE FOR PRESIDENT INC	$1,000 primary	09/28/95
ASTRUE, MICHAEL J BELMONT, MA 02178 BIO-GEN INC	MCINTOSH, DAVID MARTIN (R) House (IN 02) DAVID MCINTOSH FOR CONGRESS	$250 primary	01/31/94
ASTRUE, MICHAEL BELMONT, MA 02178	LARKIN, PATRICK JOSEPH (R) House (MA 01) LARKIN FOR CONGRESS	$300 primary	08/11/92

Social Security Touts Online Services

From a Social Security news release picked up by The Weekly, of Georgia:

ATLANTA, GA (September 13, 2006) - Social Security’s Internet site, www.socialsecurity.gov , is among the most popular of government websites. In fact, in a survey conducted by the American Customer Satisfaction Index, four of the top five services evaluated are located on Social Security’s website. Our Social Security Benefits Application was number one, followed by the Application for Extra Help Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs page and the Social Security Business Services Online page. In fifth place was the Social Security Retirement Planner.

It is perhaps a minor matter, but this is an example of a Social Security press release that Social Security chooses not to post on its own website that is supposed to show its press releases. There have been a number of these lately. If the best that Social Security's press office can do is to get a press release like this published in a tiny local news media, it is hardly worth the effort of even doing the press release in the first place. One would think that Social Security would at least post these press releases online so that those few who are genuinely interested in what the agency is doing would be able to find them more easily.

Mark Warshawsky

Mark Warshawsky, one of President Bush's other appointees to the Social Security Advisory Board, has worked at the Department of the Treasury. He campaigned publically for President Bush's plan to privatize Social Security, as this press release from 2005 shows.