Have A Great Thanksgiving Feast!

Happy Thanksgiving

Good News For Eric Conn's Former Clients

     There as finally been a decision in the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals in a case concerning the serious legal and constitutional issues presented by Social Security's reviews of prior decisions made in cases where Eric Conn had represented the claimant. This requires study but it appears to be good news for these claimants.

     The 6th Circuit is, by a wide measure, the most conservative of the Courts of Appeals. If Social Security can't win there, they can't win. However, I would expect that the agency will ask that the case be reheard en banc, that is by all members of the Court, rather than by a three member panel as is usually the case.

I Haven't Heard Of This One Before

     From the News Virginian:

A man wearing a suit and silver badge recently went to a Staunton residence and said he is an investigator for the Social Security Administration, according to the Staunton Police Department.

Police said the man was described as a black male who spoke with a heavy foreign accent.

The scam the man was perpetrating involves him displaying the badge and claiming there is fraud activity in the targeted person's account. The victim was then told police will respond if the Social Security employee is not given money. The man left the area after the victim declined to speak further.

National Disability Forum

     An announcement from Social Security:

Social Security’s National Disability Forum, Enhancing the Reconsideration Process
Wednesday, November 28, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EST
1100 New York Avenue NW, Suite 200 East, Washington, DC 20005

You may also participate via live stream.

We are seeking feedback on improving the disability claims process - especially at the reconsideration step. Panelists Include:

• Moderator - Darlynda Bogle, Executive Secretary, Office of the Commissioner, Social Security Administration
• Phoebe Ball, Legislative Affairs Specialist, National Council on Disability · Cheryl Bates-Harris, Senior Disability Advocacy Specialist, National Disability Rights Network
• Dr. Sharon Bland-Brady, President, National Association of Disability Examiners
• Lisa Ekman, Director of Government Affairs, National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives
• Trudy Lyon-Hart, Policy/Quality Committee Chair and Board Member, National Council of Disability Determination Directors
• Christopher Mazzulli, Treasurer, National Association of Disability Representatives

Please register online by Monday, November 26, and note whether you will be attending in person or via live stream. Additional details will be provided to live stream participants prior to the event. We hope you can join us and look forward to your participation. To learn more about the National Disability Forum, please click http://www.socialsecurity.gov/ndf/ .

     I don't know that this announcement itself is on the interwebs. I found out about it from the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives (NOSSCR).

Social Security Administrative Expenditures As Percentage Of Total Expenditures Have Declined Over The Years

      Source: Social Security Administration. Click on each page to view full size.

Are Electronic Medical Records A Good Thing? It’s Complicated

     If you spend a lot of time reading medical records, and I know that, like me, many of you do, read this New Yorker piece by Atul Gawande, Why Doctors Hate Their Computers.

Field Office Reopens After Car Crash

     The Social Security field office in Egg Harbor Township that was closed after a car crashed into it on Tuesday reopened on Friday.