United Spinal Association Testifies in Congress for Social Security Reforms
| Jackson Heights, NY–The United Spinal Association’s Terence Moakley testifies today on behalf of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) before the House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee about needed improvements in Social Security’s disability programs. | |
 Left to right, Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY), who is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee; Peggy Hathaway, United Spinal Association VP of Public Policy; Daisy Nazario; United Spinal Association General Counsel Jim Weisman; United Spinal Association Legislative Director Andrew Morris; and seated, United Spinal Association VP of Public Affairs Terry Moakley. |
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| Moakley will comment on recent proposed changes from the Social Security Administration concerning its appeals process for claimants on their eligibility for the programs, stating the CCD strong opposition to closing the record of a case to new evidence that is submitted within five business days of the hearing, or later. |  |
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The CCD maintains that this proposal sacrifices fairness to expediency for individuals who are struggling to deal with a new disability or a progressive disabling condition. Moakley noted, “in appeals cases, the Social Security Administration seems to value speed rather than accuracy for people with disabilities.” |
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| Moakley also will offer comments on the CCD recommendation to eliminate the 24 month waiting period for Medicare for all SSDI beneficiaries since it denies health care to people who need it most because they have become too disabled to work. Loss of work often means loss of health insurance for many beneficiaries because they are unable to pay the COBRA premiums to continue this insurance. | |
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The CCD also recommends several work incentives, including allowing beneficiaries to receive income that exceeds the substantial gainful activity level without losing SSDI benefits, by establishing a $1 to $2 offset parallel to that under the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. |
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| The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is a coalition of more than 100 consumer, advocacy, provider, and professional organizations headquartered in Washington, DC. Since 1973, the CCD has advocated on behalf of people of all ages with physical and mental disabilities and their families. CCD has worked to achieve federal legislation and regulations that assure that the 54 million children and adults with disabilities are fully integrated into the mainstream of society. For additional information, please log on to www.c-c-d.org. | |
| Click here to read the complete testimony. | |