Social Security Urged To Move To Open Platform Computing

From Federal Computer Week:

The Social Security Administration should replace its outdated mainframe computer with proprietary architecture and move to a more open platform, according to recommendations released in a white paper by the Computer & Communications Industry Association (CCIA). ...

CCIA commissioned the paper because the SSA’s Future Systems Technology Advisory Board is considering how to modernize the agency’s IT infrastructure. ...

The white paper alleges that the SSA’s systems are vulnerable because they are too reliant on outdated technology and a single supplier. A better structure for long-term accessibility would be systems available from multiple and competing sources, the paper said.

Another recommendation in the paper is for the SSA to use its buying power to insist that its current supplier for hardware, IBM Corp., work closer with hardware and software makers in the systems development life cycle.

An IBM spokesman said the CCIA’s membership includes many of IBM’s competitors, including Microsoft. “So it is hardly surprising when the CCIA makes an anti-IBM argument,” said Steve Eisenstadt, a spokesman for IBM.

There is a similar story on NextGov.

Regulatory Notices On Three Listings

Social Security posted Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register today on the listings for Genitourinary Disorders, Multiple Body Systems, and Skin Disorders. There is nothing of substance in these notices; just requests for comments and suggestions from members of the public.

Social Security Owes $160 Million To Massachusetts?

From the Boston Herald:

Massachusetts is owed $160 million from the federal government for a little-known Social Security policy that’s been erroneously overlooked for 35 years, according to Gov. Deval Patrick’s top health and human services adviser.

At issue is the way the Social Security Administration handles disability claims. Health and Human Services Secretary Bigby said the federal agency often declines applications for disability payouts on an applicant’s first attempt. However, if an applicant appeals the rejection, the state then covers health care costs for that person until the matter is resolved. If the applicant is ultimately approved, the SSA is supposed to reimburse the state for that interim coverage.

“We’re one of the first states that brought it to their attention,” Bigby said in a phone interview. “We are pushing for a mechanism to get that money back to the state.”

Noting the SSA has acknowledged the error, Bigby said U.S. Sen. Jay Rockefeller, Democrat of West Virginia, attempted to get a provision into the Senate’s national health reform bill that would reimburse Massachusetts and 30 other states.

“That measure was not accepted,” she said. “We just need the SSA to develop a methodology to pay us.”

ALJ Register Open

The register for the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) position is open. It will only stay open until midnight on the day upon which the 900th application is filed. Probably, the register will either close tomorrow night or Thursday night. Wednesday is a federal holiday. Apply as quickly as possible if you are interested in an ALJ position.

Two New Duties For Social Security In Health Care Bill

I have taken a look through the health care reform bill passed by the House of Representatives for the words "social security" to see what new responsibilities it assigns to the Social Security Administration. I only found two new responsibilities for the Social Security Administration. Social Security is to verify that Social Security numbers and names match -- in effect verifying citizenship -- for purposes of eligibility for the various forms of assistance available under the bill. This is a responsibility that Social Security does not want and should not have, but it appears that the agency is stuck with it and not just for health care. At least, Social Security is appropriated $30 million for this under the bill for doing this. Also, under the bill, Social Security is required to do outreach to identify individuals eligible for the low income prescription drug subsidy.

Union Calls For Astrue Ouster

From a press release issued by the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the union that represents most Social Security employees:

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the nation's largest federal employee union, today called on the Obama Administration to remove Social Security Administration Commissioner Michael Astrue. The union says recent events involving H1N1 employee policy and a third party class action lawsuit indicate that Astrue has lost touch with employee rights and the impact his policies have on effective public service. The Social Security Administration’s chief negotiator for mid-term bargaining on abating H1N1 told AFGE members that H1N1 is not a serious communicable disease, contradicting the Centers for Disease Control and SSA’s own chief medical officer. In a direct challenge to SSA protocols, SSA managers – and its negotiator – have threatened disciplinary action if SSA employees refuse to take an interview with a member of the public that exhibits swine flu symptoms but wants a face-to-face interview. ...

AFGE also recently applauded the order of a federal judge in the Northern District of California to allow blind individuals an accommodation in the form of communications from the Social Security Administration, something which the SSA leadership has repeatedly fought against and claimed that it would be too burdensome to accommodate.

For more on this dispute, see the Washington Post article. By the way, although the President could make life difficult for Astrue, the President cannot fire him.

Updated Fee Payment Stats

Updated information on payments of fees to attorneys and others for representing Social Security claimants:

Fee Payments
Month/Year	Volume	Amount
Jan-09	28,423	$101,128,880.69
Feb-09	31,352	$112,791,207.17
Mar-09	29,199	$104,155,187.96
Apr-09	30,963	$110,133,425.19
May-09	36,603	$126,725,262.45
June-09	31,799	$113,962,564.84
July-09	34,802	$124,621,068.71
August-09	28,218	$100,279,282.51
Sept-09	28,455	$100,918,402.40
Oct-09	36,729	$131,011,485.43

Social Security Advertises Chief Of Staff Position

The Social Security Administration is advertising an opening in the position of Chief of Staff. Here is the description of the job from the notice:

The Chief of Staff to the Commissioner of Social Security acts as personal advisor to the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Social Security covering the full range of the agency's mission. S/He is a key leader in setting and articulating the Commissioner's vision and strategic direction for the agency. Internally, the Chief of Staff oversees the tactical execution of the Commissioner's strategic vision among the agency's executive leadership. S/He represents the Commissioner in discussions with the White House, Members of Congress, the Office of Management and Budget, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Office of Personnel Management, other Federal agencies, executives of State and local governments, and others who are interested in the policies and programs of the Social Security Administration.