Trump seeks to bring back Social Security rule changes, one of Reagan's worst ideas

[Jazzhead]

Show of hands of people who  have witnessed abuse and gaming of the SS disability system.

I can think of about a dozen without even thinking hard.  You might not give that much thought, but cumulatively, just think what it is costing you every April 15th, and the tally board for the National Debt.

I support Trump's move here.

I do too, although it may be politically wise to soft-peddle such needed reform until after the election.   As others have pointed out,  private disability insurance - the kind offered as a benefit by employers -  commonly include provisions whereby an individual's continued disability is periodically assessed, including by a physician of the insurer's choosing.   There's no reason not to subject SS disability benefits to a similar sort of scrutiny.   

[Victoria33]

And yet, the sad part is that a goodly number of people who are truly disabled usually are turned down for benefits the first time they apply.  They might have to go through an appeals process -- apply more than once -- and even after all that, they could still not get benefits.   I was one of the lucky ones.  I was approved the first time I applied.  But I had help from professionals who know the right language to use to convince SS that I was really disabled.  Most people who try to apply on their own are rejected.

@Applewood

I have said here before that the Social Security Administration sent me people to test and write a report either saying they were disabled or they were not.  SS made their decision on the basis of my reports which ran 12 pages single spaced.  I was determining what happened to them from day forward, whether they got the benefit or not.

I saw people in terrible condition and I know people here would agree with me about those people getting SSI.  However, I did not write a positive report for one woman and she was rejected by SS due to that.  I then got a call from her wanting my report.  I told her she would have to get it from SS as they paid for it so they owned it.  Later, I found out she had already been rejected once for SSI and coming to me was another chance for her.  She was not disabled.

[libertybele]

I will agree with you @libertybele ... And I think the thing that would most help the problem is actually loosening the regulations and providing for interim funding for those trying to get back up, even if it is long term. Encouraging self sufficiency however that works and to the degree that is possible... Either you have disability or you don't. There is nothing in between...

There is very little in the way of assistance into an entrepreneurial state - for folks that could help themselves when no employer in his right mind would hire them. You normally get one shot at reeducation, and if you fall back down, or mess it up, it's gone.

There is no provision for those with high medical costs to otherwise support themselves. The medical leaves the moment you say you are better, or the moment you are deemed unqualified. And getting it back if you are mistaken just will not happen without another years-long trip through federal and state bureaucracy.   

Disability is a hole they make dang hard to climb out of... And for people that are quite probably still damaged in many ways, and needing to cope with that while trying to get back on their feet, find no help or relief. The whole thing is designed to keep you disabled - not to help you back up.

   Perhaps some sort of short term occupational therapy to help people get back to work.  Unfortunately that's just another cost added onto the existing burden.

I think another area that needs to be looked into is Medicare fraud.  Medicare is mandatory.  It's a government boondoggle.  Once my hubby was on Medicare all of a sudden he was told he needed at home physical therapy for an ailment he's suffered with (and still worked) for the past 15 years.  The PT that came was always anywhere from a 1/2 hour to an hour late, cancelled and rescheduled appointments and her regime was handing out a photocopied list of exercises and then went over these exercises each week that she came.  What a crock of b.s.  She came for 6 weeks -- who knows what she charged the government for.  No, my hubby gained absolutely no benefit from them.  Her showing up late and never knowing when she was going to pop in was an aggravation we didn't need!

[EdinVA]

Somewhere along the line, we were convinced that the government(s) had to work fast, and when you go fast, you make mistakes.

[Snarknado]

It's like when liberals set these programs up, it never occurs to them that anyone might take advantage of them. And no benefit system is ever reformed, they just layer on one after another with little regard for overlap and minimal cross-checking, inviting gaming of the system.

[skeeter]

It's like when liberals set these programs up, it never occurs to them that anyone might take advantage of them. And no benefit system is ever reformed, they just layer on one after another with little regard for overlap and minimal cross-checking, inviting gaming of the system.

These programs are invented with a mind to buy votes. That is all and it governs how the programs are administered.

[Smokin Joe]

These programs are invented with a mind to buy votes. That is all and it governs how the programs are administered.

You left out "create jobs", which inevitably, they do. At all our expense.

[XenaLee]

It's like when liberals set these programs up, it never occurs to them that anyone might take advantage of them. And no benefit system is ever reformed, they just layer on one after another with little regard for overlap and minimal cross-checking, inviting gaming of the system.

Oh... it occurs to them.   It's how lib lefties roll (dishonesty).   They just couldn't care less...

since it's not their money being wasted and abused by frauds.

[skeeter]

You left out "create jobs", which inevitably, they do. At all our expense.

That, too. Like a virus, today's government exists for its own sake.

[libertybele]

These programs are invented with a mind to buy votes. That is all and it governs how the programs are administered.

Absolutely.  We are seeing the ramifications of LBJ's Great Society and the whole premise behind his 'programs' were to ensure DEM votes and generations dependent on government and to allow government to expand its reach into our lives.

[Bigun]

Create a pipeline for your (USA) tax dollars to Ukraine. Get the Ukrainians to hire your relatives for patronage jobs paid for by your aid money then funnel large amounts of that laundered money into your campaign treasury.


THAT ladies and gentlemen it's how it's done.  If you can't get public financing of campaigns done via the legislative route you find another way to do it!

[roamer_1]

What I saw: It's pretty hard to keep food on the table when you suddenly can't walk, can't drive, can't get around to even apply for assistance from other sources.

This all seems vaguely familiar...