Open Letter From Eight Former Social Security Commissioners

[bananas]

http://socsecnews.blogspot.com/2013/04/open-letter-from-eight-former-social.html

April 4, 2013

An Open Letter from Former Commissioners of the Social Security Administration


As former Commissioners of the Social Security Administration (SSA), we write to express our significant concerns regarding a series recently aired on This American Life, All Things Considered, and National Public Radio stations across the U.S. ("Unfit for Work: The Startling Rise of Disability in America&quot . Our nation’s Social Security system serves as a vital lifeline for millions of individuals with severe disabilities. We feel compelled to share our unique insight into the Social Security system because we know firsthand the dangers of mischaracterizing the disability programs via sensational,anecdote-based media accounts, leaving vulnerable beneficiaries to pick up the pieces.

Approximately 1 in 5 of our fellow Americans live with disabilities, but only those with the most significant disabilities qualify for disability benefits under Title II and Title XVI of the Social Security Act. Title II Old Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (DI) benefits and Title XVI Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits provide critical support to millions of Americans with the most severe disabilities, as well as their dependents and survivors. Disabled beneficiaries often report multiple impairments, and many have such poor health that they are terminally ill: about 1 in 5 male DI beneficiaries and 1 in 7 female DI beneficiaries die within 5 years of receiving benefits. Despite their impairments, many beneficiaries at tempt work using the work incentives under the Social Security Act, and some do work part-time. For example, research by Mathematica and SSA finds that about 17 percent of beneficiaries worked in 2007. However,their earnings are generally very low (two-thirds of those who worked in 2007 earned less than $5,000 for the whole year), and only a small share are able to earn enough to be self-sufficient and leave the DI and SSI programs each year. Without Social Security or SSI, the alternatives for many beneficiaries are simply unthinkable.

The statutory standard for approval is very strict, and was made even more so in 1996. To implement this strict standard, Social Security Administration (SSA) regulations, policies, and procedures require extensive documentation and medical evidence at all levels of the application process. Less than one-third of initial DI and SSI applications are approved, and only about 40 percent of adult DI and SSI applicants receive benefits even after all levels of appeal. As with adults, most children who apply are denied SSI, and only the most severely impaired qualify for benefits.

Managing the eligibility process for the disability system is a challenging task, and errors will always occur in any system of this size.But the SSA makes every effort to pay benefits to the right person in the right amount at the right time. When an individual applies for one of SSA’s disability programs, the agency has extensive systems in place to ensure accurate decisions, and the agency is home to many dedicated public servants who take their ongoing responsibility of the proper stewardship of the programs very seriously. Program integrity is critically important and adequate funds must be available to make continued progress in quality assurance and monitoring. In the face of annual appropriations that were far below what the President requested in Fiscal Year 2011 and Fiscal Year 2012, the agency has still continued to implement many new system improvements that protect taxpayers and live up to Americans’ commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our society.

It is true that DI has grown significantly in the past 30 years.The growth that we’ve seen was predicted by actuaries as early as 1994 and is mostly the result of two factors:baby boomers entering their high -disability years, and women entering the workforce in large numbers in the 1970s and 1980s so that more are now "insured" for DI based on their own prior contributions. The increase in the number of children receiving SSI benefits in the past decade is similarly explained by larger economic factors, namely the increase in the number of poor and low-income children. More than 1 in 5 U.S. children live in poverty today and some 44 percent live in low-income households. Since SSI is a means-tested program, more poor and low-income children mean more children with disabilities are financially eligible for benefits. Importantly, the share of low-income children who receive SSI benefits has remained constant at less than four percent.

Yet, the series aired on NPR sensationalizes this growth, as well as the DI trust fund’s projected shortfall. History tells a less dramatic story. Since Social Security was enacted, Congress has "reallocated" payroll tax revenues across the OASI and DI trust funds–about equally in both directions – some 11 times to account for demographic shifts. In 1994, the last time such reallocation occurred, SSA actuaries projected that similar action would next be required in 2016. They were right on target. We are deeply concerned that the series “Unfit for Work” failed to tell the whole story and perpetuated dangerous myths about the Social Security disability programs and the people helped by this vital system. We fear that listeners may come away with an incorrect impression of the program — as opposed to an understanding of the program actually based on facts.

As former Commissioners of the agency, we could not sit on the sidelines and witness this one perspective on the disability programs threaten to pull the rug out from under millions of people with severe disabilities. Drastic changes to these programs would lead to drastic consequences for some of America's most vulnerable people. With the lives of so many vulnerable people at stake, it is vital that future reporting on the DI and SSI programs look at all parts of this important issue and take a balanced, careful look at how to preserve and strengthen these vital parts of our nation’s Social Security system.

Sincerely,

Kenneth S. Apfel
Michael J. Astrue
Jo Anne B. Barnhart
Shirley S. Chater
Herbert R. Doggette
Louis D. Enoff
Larry G. Massanari
Lawrence H. Thompson

[elleng]

1. Thanks. Nothing like facts.

'Yet, the series aired on NPR sensationalizes this growth, as well as the DI trust fund’s projected shortfall. History tells a less dramatic story. Since Social Security was enacted, Congress has "reallocated" payroll tax revenues across the OASI and DI trust funds–about equally in both directions – some 11 times to account for demographic shifts. In 1994, the last time such reallocation occurred, SSA actuaries projected that similar action would next be required in 2016. They were right on target. We are deeply concerned that the series “Unfit for Work” failed to tell the whole story and perpetuated dangerous myths about the Social Security disability programs and the people helped by this vital system. We fear that listeners may come away with an incorrect impression of the program — as opposed to an understanding of the program actually based on facts.

As former Commissioners of the agency, we could not sit on the sidelines and witness this one perspective on the disability programs threaten to pull the rug out from under millions of people with severe disabilities. Drastic changes to these programs would lead to drastic consequences for some of America's most vulnerable people. With the lives of so many vulnerable people at stake, it is vital that future reporting on the DI and SSI programs look at all parts of this important issue and take a balanced, careful look at how to preserve and strengthen these vital parts of our nation’s Social Security system.'

[bananas]

4. Thanks to new DUer 'unrepentant progress' for posting it in another thread

He posted it with another article in this op in GD: http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022632210

[elleng]

5. Thanks. Thanked and welcomed him/her.

[MotherPetrie]

2. K&R

[NYC_SKP]

3. K/R (nt)

[Still Sensible]

6. K & R n/t

[AnotherMcIntosh]

7. K&R. I used to expect more honesty from NPR.

[mountain grammy]

8. What's up, NPR?

[unrepentant progress]

10. It's not NPR so much as it's the Planet Money team in this specific case

Both Adam Davidson and Chana Joffe-Walt are austerians through and through, plus it appears Planet Money takes money from questionable sources.

See Mark Ames' reporting which I shared here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/101660170

[Bluenorthwest]

15. They were paid and played by NPR.

About Planet Money
We produce a twice-weekly and create radio stories for Morning Edition, All Things Considered and This American Life. We also write a blog.

So they are in fact, NPR in house, exclusive to NPR, spawned by NPR. They are NPR.

[bananas]

21. "monetizing the credibility Change.org had built up and making it available to front-groups"

"Then late last year, Change.org was furtively taken over by the PR industry, monetizing the credibility Change.org had built up and making it available to front-groups, the public relations industry and advertisers."

Wow!

[rlegro]

28. So, obviously, we need to change Change.org

I went over to the change.org web site and hit their big red box to start a grass-roots petition. I didn't finish, because in order to actually finalize the petition you have to create an account there via Facebook, and I refuse to have anything to do with Facebook. But maybe someone else among would take my draft work and run with it. Here's my proto-petition; they gave us the tool, so let's use it:

WHO DO YOU WANT TO PETITION?
change.org

WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO DO?
Stop using your resources to further propaganda that's anti-grass roots

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
Like many cash-stressed not-for-profits, change.org evidently has turned to the dark side of the force, accepting money from some of the very forces that should be its focus of attack. This makes its messaging and campaigns untrustworthy and, worse, counterproductive to its claimed mission and its claimed clientele. The rich, corporate elites and anti-progressive political and social groups don't need the rest of us to change, THEY need to change; serving their interests doesn't promote anything that's truly "grass roots."

[rlegro]

29. Whoops, I was beaten to the punch

Such a petition already exists and I happily just signed it. You should, too. Go to:
https://www.change.org/en-CA/petitions/ben-rattray-ceo-of-change-org-abandon-your-new-profit-before-principles-policy

[abelenkpe]

13. NPR went to the dark side a while ago

Haven't felt they were very credible since the build up to the Iraq war.

[valerief]

35. Since the coup d'etat by Dimwit. nt

[ReRe]

9. SSA Commissioners letter

K&R

... thanks for this OP! I had not seen this letter yet...

[WillyT]

11. HUGE K & R !!!

[vanlassie]

12. Wow. K&R

[Brigid]

14. This is definitely a must-read for everyone.

Thank you, bananas (love the name)!

BTW, what is up with NPR? We are not going broke caring for the elderly and disabled. We are going broke because the Repugs never saw a saw a war --or a tax break for the rich -- they didn't like.

[unrepentant progress]

17. Of course it needs to be pointed out that the U.S. is *not* going broke at all

It's impossible for the U.S. to go broke. The U.S. has a fiat currency. It is a currency issuer, not a currency user like you, or me. There can be too much money in circulation, in which case the result is inflation. However, that's clearly not the case since there's hardly any inflation at all. The problem is not that the U.S. is spending too much, but that it's spending too little -- we are in a demand crunch. As Charlie Pierce at Esquire would say, "People got no money, got no jobs." In times when people aren't able to spend, the currency issuer must. The question then becomes, "On what?" Some things are better than others. The best is to pay people to do stuff that needs doing -- repairing infrastructure, helping others. That way you get better roads, and help people who need help. With war spending though, while the military is an employer, the vast majority of what's spent just gets blown up, or is used to blow other people up.

[freshwest]

40. Welcome very much to DU.

[Bluenorthwest]

18. The staff and 'talent' at NPR make six figure salaries for muttering into mics with a sedated

style while ambient music plays behind them. They are not going broke, they are getting richer every day.
The folks who brought that hyped up disability story 'talent' producers, staff and execs like Glass combined probably made half a million off the story. They are all paid mid six as base salaries.
The 'talent' at NPR fails to point out that their own vast incomes are derived from charitable donations, hand outs, funds coming from drives that are nonstop begging. The producers at NPR are professional beggars living off of hand outs from others the entire place is run on charity money and government funds. Most of them make in excess of 200K per year, every dime a hand out from an actual working person.

[unrepentant progress]

22. 3.7 cents out of every dime comes from "hand outs"

The rest comes from corporate sponsorships (2.5 cents out of every dime), .7 cents from foundation grants and charitable giving, etc. The problem with NPR is not that their hosts are paid too much, it's that on the whole they're not paid by "hand outs" from you and me and everyone else. In short, there's only 37% "Public" in National Public Radio.

[Bluenorthwest]

30. Sorry it is also that they are overpaid in positions that are usually lifelong.

Their 'talent' is the same year in and year out, their 'talent' never has to nor do they by choice participate in or compete in markets outside their unique, tenure like positions. They are a closed off, pampered, unchecked and highly self indulgent little batch of divas.
In case you did not notice, the hand out comments are pointed at their attack on the disabled getting disability benefits. Ironic because they live on hand outs. Six figs for sitting in posh chairs muttering over ambient music that disabled people can't find six figure jobs with comfy chairs. Of course, Ira Glass has worked only for NPR and has a 30 year lock on his six figures, (only some of which he begs for, granted) he leaves no room for others to make a place there, he creates no jobs outside of NPR, he simply sits there muttering over ambient music and amassing millions of dollars for it. He wonders why disabled people in Alabama can't find similar work, but to get a gig like Ira's first Ira has to die because NPR is a closed shop spending piles of money on stale old talent that could not compete in actual radio if NPR cut their salary to 20 dollars and car fare.
The ugly tone of the report in question comes in part from their highly compensated lives in a bubble of special rules and curated human contact. Feel free to disagree, but I know decadent talent when I hear it.

[Doctor_J]

16. NPR is part of the Rove Media Machine

Most of their commentary now if from far right wing sources.

[dotymed]

19. Before becoming disabled

and taking 6 years to "prove" it although all of my DR.'s (some of them are top experts in their profession) said that I was undoubtedly unable to maintain any type of schedule (and much more). I went to every SS "Dr.'s" appt they scheduled.Most of their "Dr.'s" could not speak comprehensible English, they did not have their own practices (just a space in an old strip mall and no receptionist). Many of them said I was healthy and able to work despite my congestive heart failure and other well documented conditions.
Finally, I actually was scheduled with an American E.R. Dr. after I had been initially denied my benefits. She examined me and my medical records and said that she could not believe that I had been denied SS.
I earned more money in two days as a Union carpenter than I receive from my monthly benefits, mainly because they waited until after the magic 5 year window that SS uses to calculate your contributions.
Recently (my last trip to the E.R.) my Dr. informed me that I should be making final prepreations...what a wonderful experience being in poverty for the last eight years has been. Not to mention the daily suffering and total collapse of my previous life, wife and family included. We have such a great SS system, if you like struggling with poverty and death. I have a 16 y.o. son who lives with me. That is no way to remember your father...SS also made it impossible for me to receive my retirement benefits because they said that I could have been a highway toll taker for the first 3 years of my disability. I missed the date set by my Union, that says you had to work full time within the last 2 years before SS declares you disabled. I could have been a toll taker.....

[Mnemosyne]

24. ...

[pacalo]

32. You need

a hug, dotymed.

[dotymed]

34. Thank you (always accepted

)
I am not feeling sorry for myself but I am so tired of being screwed by "our" govt. and then have them say how benevolent they are to their subjects.....

[pacalo]

37. I hear ya...

that's the great thing about discussion boards. We're all in this together, across the country, & it's a good place to vent.

[freshwest]

41. I know how it goes, dotymed and am glad you are here to make the case for so many of us.

[DebJ]

20. K&R +1,000,000,000 n/t

[mettamega]

23. could not say it better - thank you

[frazzled]

25. This American Life has been having some real reporting snafus lately

First there was the Mike Daisy piece from China, from the factory ... large portions of which were proven to be simply made up (and he admitted it). It was a "performance," only they didn't check any facts to determine that it was not real.

Now the Disability piece (which I heard) that has been roundly criticized in many quarters. Good radio is not equivalent with good reporting.

TAL is good radio; but it's really bad reporting, apparently. Maybe they should just stick to human interest stories that don't matter.

[Liberalynn]

26. I thank them for speaking up

[Warren Stupidity]

27. Worst TAL ever. And Ira is standing by it. Fuck that.

He tossed Mike Daisey under the bus for far less than this piece of rightwing crap.

[pacalo]

31. A letter of support from the experts is very encouraging.

[blkmusclmachine]

33. Off the Cliff goes Grandma!

Hope for Change

[valerief]

36. Of course, the ruling class will just say, "What do they know?" nt

[pam4water]

38. Nice K&R

[John2]

39. Well, is this the same NPR

that has changed its staff with more conservative people? Why don't we start out with who runs NPR now and all the acquisitions they have made during the last decade and you will get to the bottom of their goals. A lot of institutions have been monopolized in this country by private investors. They have an agenda. Their agenda requires forming public opinion in this country about certain policies. The starting argument they want to get people to agree with is programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are wasteful spending this country cannot afford. That whole argument is wrong because those programs serve an important purpose in this country. They are good for public policy.

Those programs benefit all Americans directly, unlike the ridiculous military spending. Any country that has the notion, that they can invade the United States is delusional. Politicians in Congress have Americans believing that even though this country has an enormous nuclear capacity and a population with over 300 million people. What is more, there is no country has close to the GDP of this country. The main reason we have been attacked, I argue is because of our Policies of aggression. We are looked upon to defend countries, that have no basis in our Constitution. We have a choice to say no. It was not our obligation before World War II. Many of these countries that we now defend are wealthy enough to defend themselves and provide for their people. It has gone from just supporting certain countries to outright defending them. I would argue also, most of this Policy benefits mainly the wealthy within this country and those countries, through military spending and economic agreements from corporations getting contracts in these countries. and it gains access to cheaper laborers in those countries. This does nothing for U.S. workers while they are getting the shaft and paying for the Bill. Americans need to reclaim their Government because it belongs to them and so does our military. And anytime we go to War, the American Public needs to make that decision instead of paid for Politicians in Congress. This country has plenty of money, we just need to set the priorities with Congress. A lot of them need to be replaced.

[freshwest]

42. Worldwide. Thatcher = Reagan policies. UK pundits smearing social safety net and disabled = USA too.

I understand both countries do have aging populations; that disabilities do occur more often with age; but the world is full of young people - in many countries, the vast majority.

And even among those, those who are not of age is also high. But they do not have work or upward mobility. I meet many who come here to work as this is a move up. They say there is no middle class where they came from, only the super rich and the totally dispossessed.

Despite our problems and drift in that direction, they find opportunties here to move up. There is not a shortage of human work or talent on this planet to provide for social needs.

Although education isn't given to all it should be. This is a manufactured crisis, Obama has said so repeatedly. Let's push those who made it and get ahead. Don't let them convince the people this is inevitable, even though they control the media. They're lying.