Eight former Commissioners of the Social Security Administration (SSA) released a letter on April 4 in which they express concern for "dangerous myths" contained in recent NPR broadcasts concerning Social Security disability programs. As far as I know, this is the first time in the history of Social Security that former Commissioners have spoken in such a unified way in response to a media article. Here is a very small part of the letter:
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
Readers who want to read the Commissioners' entire letter will find it at the following link, provided by the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives (NOSSCR).
http://nosscr.org/open-letter-former-commissioners-social-security-administration
THE FORSYTHE FIRM
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
Readers who want to read the Commissioners' entire letter will find it at the following link, provided by the National Organization of Social Security Claimant's Representatives (NOSSCR).
http://nosscr.org/open-letter-former-commissioners-social-security-administration
THE FORSYTHE FIRM
(256) 799-0297
Comments
Post a Comment