Unfit for Work: the startling rise of disability in America

[IGotWorms 4,058]

This article is a little long but definitely worth reading. The charts are pretty interesting too. Here's an excerpt:

 

In the past three decades, the number of Americans who are on disability has skyrocketed. The rise has come even as medical advances have allowed many more people to remain on the job, and new laws have banned workplace discrimination against the disabled. Every month, 14 million people now get a disability check from the government.

 

The federal government spends more money each year on cash payments for disabled former workers than it spends on food stamps and welfare combined. Yet people relying on disability payments are often overlooked in discussions of the social safety net. People on federal disability do not work. Yet because they are not technically part of the labor force, they are not counted among the unemployed.

 

In other words, people on disability don't show up in any of the places we usually look to see how the economy is doing. But the story of these programs -- who goes on them, and why, and what happens after that -- is, to a large extent, the story of the U.S. economy. It's the story not only of an aging workforce, but also of a hidden, increasingly expensive safety net.

 

http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/

 

Any thoughts on this? How come politicians never talk about this? You hear the right rail about welfare, free cell phones, etc., but they never mention this. Conversely you never hear the left touting Social Security Disability as some kind of wonderful safety net. It truly is hidden away from plain view.

[mobb_deep 920]

Libruhls!!

 

POW!!

 

[penultimatestraw 473]

This article is a little long but definitely worth reading. The charts are pretty interesting too. Here's an excerpt:

 

 

 

http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/

 

Any thoughts on this? How come politicians never talk about this? You hear the right rail about welfare, free cell phones, etc., but they never mention this. Conversely you never hear the left touting Social Security Disability as some kind of wonderful safety net. It truly is hidden away from plain view.

Haven't read the article yet, but I can tell you a lot of the medical disability I see is highly suspect. Fortunately I don't have to fill out those forms, and my dislike for making the somewhat arbitrary distinction is one of the things that drove me out of clinic work.

[IGotWorms 4,058]

Haven't read the article yet, but I can tell you a lot of the medical disability I see is highly suspect. Fortunately I don't have to fill out those forms, and my dislike for making the somewhat arbitrary distinction is one of the things that drove me out of clinic work.

 

Oh it's definitely suspect. I've run across them in my line of work and it seems like nearly anyone COULD be "disabled" if they wanted to be and found the right doc to complain to. That said, a lot of these people really can't work, but it's because there just isn't any work for them, not because they are disabled. It's quite a conundrum.

 

I fully expect lots of knee jerk reactions from the usual suspects, assuming they even bother to read this article. But it's interesting how the destruction of the welfare system directly correlated to a huge increase in the number of "disabled" persons on Social Security. It seems an unintended consequence of welfare reform was to push a lot of those folk to another program that is even tougher to get people off of.

 

Do make sure you read the article. You would find it interesting, I guarantee it.

[Vikings4ever 552]

It gets grouped in with fraud in general. Everyone knows it happens, everyone agrees it needs to be curbed, but actually figuring out who's faking and who's not is difficult and costly.

 

And I'd say the right doesn't make an issue with it for the fear that the left will claim they're trying to take away the lifeline for the truly disabled.

[nikki2200 4]

Haven't read the article yet, but I can tell you a lot of the medical disability I see is highly suspect. Fortunately I don't have to fill out those forms, and my dislike for making the somewhat arbitrary distinction is one of the things that drove me out of clinic work.

 

I could walk into a doctor tomorrow and tell them I have panic attacks and anxiety and they could approve me for disability. It's retarded. (apparently that's my word of the night)

[nikki2200 4]

It gets grouped in with fraud in general. Everyone knows it happens, everyone agrees it needs to be curbed, but actually figuring out who's faking and who's not is difficult and costly.

 

And I'd say the right doesn't make an issue with it for the fear that the left will claim they're trying to take away the lifeline for the truly disabled.

 

I worked with an accountant that has MD - in really bad shape and unfortunately probably won't live much longer. Yet he got himself to work every single day and made a good living. Stuff like that makes it frustrating when you know someone who goes to the doctor with "depression" and doesn't have to work anymore.

[jerryskids 6,827]

This article is a little long but definitely worth reading. The charts are pretty interesting too. Here's an excerpt:

 

 

 

http://apps.npr.org/unfit-for-work/

 

Any thoughts on this? How come politicians never talk about this? You hear the right rail about welfare, free cell phones, etc., but they never mention this. Conversely you never hear the left touting Social Security Disability as some kind of wonderful safety net. It truly is hidden away from plain view.

Fascinating article, thanks for posting it.

 

I had no idea this was going on. I'm with you -- why is this never discussed?

[Voltaire 5,317]

This is ridiculous too. If it wasn't already there, add 'disability' to the list of areas that needs to be cleaned up.

[nikki2200 4]

This is ridiculous too. If it wasn't already there, add 'disability' to the list of areas that needs to be cleaned up.

 

Well I would think the topic may be a little taboo because when we picture "disabled" in our heads we envision someone with the downs, in a wheelchair, schizophrenia, etc. Would you really want to touch that with a 10 foot pole? But it's really not very hard to collect disability at all. Like the stories in the article... you have high blood pressure your doctor can qualify you for disability. And if you look at the charts... more and more people are claiming disability for mental issues (i.e. depression or anxiety), which is obviously not concrete to diagnose and can be highly subjective and probably easily faked.

[Voltaire 5,317]

Well I would think the topic may be a little taboo because when we picture "disabled" in our heads we envision someone with the downs, in a wheelchair, schizophrenia, etc. Would you really want to touch that with a 10 foot pole? But it's really not very hard to collect disability at all. Like the stories in the article... you have high blood pressure your doctor can qualify you for disability. And if you look at the charts... more and more people are claiming disability for mental issues (i.e. depression or anxiety), which is obviously not concrete to diagnose and can be highly subjective and probably easily faked.

Not me. Where I lived was full of non-disabled 'disabled' people who were all fully capable of doing lots of other things. Even somebody without an arm or leg is capable of work let alone high blood pressure or depression.

[penultimatestraw 473]

I worked with an accountant that has MD - in really bad shape and unfortunately probably won't live much longer. Yet he got himself to work every single day and made a good living. Stuff like that makes it frustrating when you know someone who goes to the doctor with "depression" and doesn't have to work anymore.

Yep, I treated a guy with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) who was effectively quadriplegic and still worked. I don't want to eliminate disability, but I think just about anyone can work…and probably should.

[NewbieJr 541]

Biggest scam going in the country. It's ridiculous.

[TimmySmith 2,782]

If there was incentive to get off disability fewer people would go on it in the first place.

[Mike Honcho 5,294]

So hell...these people are disability, sitting around...doing nothing but posting on Facebook and message boards all day!!!! Man if I knew anyone like that I'd be sooooooooooooooo pissed.

[NewbieJr 541]

So hell...these people are disability, sitting around...doing nothing but posting on Facebook and message boards all day!!!! Man if I knew anyone like that I'd be sooooooooooooooo pissed.

 

Our resident disability poster boy sure seems able to use a computer in his house. Just not in an office.

[Mungwater 597]

We had a girl that was about to get shitcanned, she went to the doctor and got disability for "stress"...

 

Took us another year to fire her

[Phurfur 70]

Under the Obama administration more people have gone on SSI than have found jobs.

[NewbieJr 541]

Under the Obama administration more people have gone on SSI than have found jobs.

You're right. Disability is definitely an Obama problem.

[DankNuggs 305]

You're right. Disability is definitely an Obama problem.

[sarcasm] Obama is a champion of eliminating abusable social policies [/sarcasm]

 

 

Come on now, this is the guy promoting HC abuse, welfare abuse, we see disability abuse, immigration abuse (rewarding people who break the law over and above those who patiently wait and follow the rules is abuse IMO)

 

This is the democrat way... Round up all the people who you helped abuse the system and get quid pro quo votes.

[Phurfur 70]

You're right. Disability is definitely an Obama problem.

 

I will welcome links to any stats for any other president? My Link

 

A record 5.4 million workers and their dependents have signed up to collect federal disability checks since President Obama took office, according to the latest official government data, as discouraged workers increasingly give up looking for jobs and take advantage of the federal program.

 

This is straining already-stretched government finances while posing a long-term economic threat by creating an ever-growing pool of permanently dependent working-age Americans.

 

Since the recession ended in June 2009, the number of new enrollees to Social Security's disability insurance program is twice the job growth figure. (See nearby chart.) In just the first four months of this year, 539,000 joined the disability rolls and more than 725,000 put in applications.

 

As a result, by April there were a total of 10.8 million people on disability, according to Social Security Administration data released this week. Even after accounting for all those who've left the program — about 700,000 drop out each year, mainly because they hit retirement age or died — that's up 53% from a decade ago.

 

 

Read More At Investor's Business Daily: http://news.investors.com/business/042012-608418-ssdi-disability-rolls-skyrocket-under-obama.htm#ixzz2Okoe74xJ

 

Do the math!

[NewbieJr 541]

I will welcome links to any stats for any other president? My Link

 

 

 

Do the math!

Hmmmm, let me ask you this question, Einstein.....do you think the fact that unemployment has been so high for so many years has anything to do with that rise in disability cases? And would have happened under any President, Democrat or Republican, with five straight years of high unemployment rates?

[Phurfur 70]

Hmmmm, let me ask you this question, Einstein.....do you think the fact that unemployment has been so high for so many years has anything to do with that rise in disability cases? And would have happened under any President, Democrat or Republican, with five straight years of high unemployment rates?

 

There was higher unemployment under a number of Presidents and this did not happen under them. Feel free to provide a link to show I am wrong.

[NewbieJr 541]

There was higher unemployment under a number of Presidents and this did not happen under them. Feel free to provide a link to show I am wrong.

Feel free to suck my cack. I will never chase after links for you.

 

So what did Obama do that made the number of disability cases so high? I'm still waiting for you to connect the dots.

[DankNuggs 305]

Feel free to suck my cack. I will never chase after links for you.

 

So what did Obama do that made the number of disability cases so high? I'm still waiting for you to connect the dots.

He's done nothing. He has no plans to do anything. According to you that absolves him of any responsibility. Must be nice to be a liberal until you have to cash the checks.

[DankNuggs 305]

Hmmmm, let me ask you this question, Einstein.....do you think the fact that unemployment has been so high for so many years has anything to do with that rise in disability cases? And would have happened under any President, Democrat or Republican, with five straight years of high unemployment rates?

Sure, it should be absolutely expected and prepared for. Like some semblance of reasonableness that doesn't allow every idiot to abuse it. Being 'caught off guard' by it is re'tart'ed

[NewbieJr 541]

 

 

So what did Obama do that made the number of disability cases so high? I'm still waiting for you to connect the dots.

Hello, phurfur. You seem to have disappeared. Care to explain why they are so high under Obama?

[NewbieJr 541]

Sure, it should be absolutely expected and prepared for. Like some semblance of reasonableness that doesn't allow every idiot to abuse it. Being 'caught off guard' by it is re'tart'ed

Well then, feel free to make suggestions about how to fix the problem.

 

Keep in mind that many of these disabilty cases are stress or anxiety or back/neck injuries that can't really be proven or disproven. How do you tell Lenny that he is not eligible for disabilty because of his overwhelming anxiety when his neighbor, Glenn, has been on disability for the exact same thing since 2005?

[Phurfur 70]

Hello, phurfur. You seem to have disappeared. Care to explain why they are so high under Obama?

 

Here is one reason stated in the article.

 

as discouraged workers increasingly give up looking for jobs and take advantage of the federal program.

[NewbieJr 541]

Here is one reason stated in the article.

And that's Obama's fault, why?

[JT 137]

I worked with an accountant that has MD - in really bad shape and unfortunately probably won't live much longer. Yet he got himself to work every single day and made a good living. Stuff like that makes it frustrating when you know someone who goes to the doctor with "depression" and doesn't have to work anymore.

 

 

I understand what you're saying, but that's an example of what can be an unfair overall view of the disabled.

 

His challenges make any job difficult. As an accountant, he fortunately has a rather sedentary career. What if his skill set was welding? Or heavy equipment operator? He would, unfortunately, likely be disabled.

 

For that matter, while maybe a clinically depressed accountant wouldn't be my first choice ("Well, how do the books look?" "You're doomed. We're ALL doomed.")he'd probably still be functional. Clinically depressed bus driver? Seems pretty scary.

 

There's no doubt that people by the score cheat the system. But not all disabilities are physical or apparent, and the job/education/skill set has to be considered on a case-by-case basis.

 

Where we've failed, imo, is in not insisting on vocational rehab or retraining for those still able to contribute to the work force. The money spent on aptitude tests and training would pale in comparison to the money spent on a lifetime of disability checks. I believe it would also serve to get the malingerers to basically take themselves out of the program. Those too lazy to work and simply intent on beating the system won't be inclined to follow through on a rehab program either.

[The Moz 69]

This happens a lot in the trades and 1/2 of the claims at least are bogus. When a job is about to end and a worker knows there is nothing really line up for a next job - rather than go on the "bench" and wait in line for another job while getting unemployment they will injure themselves or fake one to get Disability which is significantly higher than unemployment. Or when a person knows he won't get to the 3-6 months you need to collect unemployment they injure themselves.

 

I would venture to guess 1/2 of the claims are bogus and 1/2 of the the ones that are "legit" are self inflicted.

[Frozenbeernuts 2,270]

It gets grouped in with fraud in general. Everyone knows it happens, everyone agrees it needs to be curbed, but actually figuring out who's faking and who's not is difficult and costly.

 

And I'd say the right doesn't make an issue with it for the fear that the left will claim they're trying to take away the lifeline for the truly disabled.

[NewbieJr 541]

Hello, phurfur. You seem to have disappeared. Care to explain why they are so high under Obama?

The quickest way to get rid of Phurfur in any thread is to simply ask him to back up, or give an opinion on, some of the stupid things he says.

 

Where's Waldo Phurfur

[DankNuggs 305]

Well then, feel free to make suggestions about how to fix the problem.

 

Keep in mind that many of these disabilty cases are stress or anxiety or back/neck injuries that can't really be proven or disproven. How do you tell Lenny that he is not eligible for disabilty because of his overwhelming anxiety when his neighbor, Glenn, has been on disability for the exact same thing since 2005?

How about the guy who signed up to be RESPONSIBLE for this stuff actually do his job instead of campaigning on rewarding illegals for breaking into this country and tending to vote democrat?

 

If illegals happened to vote republican Obama would be droning their arses for Tejas to canaduh....

[DankNuggs 305]

But here is a simple suggestion: Require disability to be revisited and diagnosed every X # of years, at that reexamination should there be actual rules and thresholds on actually qualifying for disability they will be evaluated at that time.

[NewbieJr 541]

But here is a simple suggestion: Require disability to be revisited and diagnosed every X # of years, at that reexamination should there be actual rules and thresholds on actually qualifying for disability they will be evaluated at that time.

I'd have no problem with that and I don't think many others would, either. But the examinations will not be free (another thing for someone to bltch about) and the same problem will exist upon re-examination that was there in the first place- you can't disprove things like anxiety or pinched nerves in back/neck. Liars will lie and scammers will scam.

[The Moz 69]

If you are a construction worker with a family and a mortgage -- and the Job is coming to an end and basically you know you are headed to the bench afterwards and unemployment. In this economy it might be 6 - 8 months before you get called back up - do you want Unemployment for basically less than 1/2 of your pay or Disability for like 75-85% of your pay? Then wait until the economy picks up and there is work. A lot of these Union guys make like 50 dollars an hour maybe more in the major cities. I would fall off a scaffold as well and break a few bones for the family.

 

Just saying why I don't agree as an american with what is happening I understand it.

 

Like OJ -- I don't agree with what he did but I understand it - If my wife was nailing some other dude and throwing in your face ... I would think (what would phillybear do)

[NewbieJr 541]

If you are a construction worker with a family and a mortgage -- and the Job is coming to an end and basically you know you are headed to the bench afterwards and unemployment. In this economy it might be 6 - 8 months before you get called back up - do you want Unemployment for basically less than 1/2 of your pay or Disability for like 75-85% of your pay? Then wait until the economy picks up and there is work. A lot of these Union guys make like 50 dollars an hour maybe more in the major cities. I would fall off a scaffold as well and break a few bones for the family.

 

Just saying why I don't agree as an american with what is happening I understand it.

 

Like OJ -- I don't agree with what he did but I understand it - If my wife was nailing some other dude and throwing in your face ... I would think (what would phillybear do)

This happened a lotr back when I was a union bricklayer back in the 90's. And the economy was buzzing. So it only makes sense that it's much higher now that the economy is crap. Unemployment is especially high in the contruction trades. Again, I think it's ridiculous and wish there was a way to catch people and punish them. But there's no way in hell this is an Obama issue.

[The Moz 69]

This happened a lotr back when I was a union bricklayer back in the 90's. And the economy was buzzing. So it only makes sense that it's much higher now that the economy is crap. Unemployment is especially high in the contruction trades. Again, I think it's ridiculous and wish there was a way to catch people and punish them. But there's no way in hell this is an Obama issue.

 

 

While I do not like Barry - this has been a problem for a while since before even Reagan was in office in regards to the trades. If people don't think they will get picked up for another job after 1 ends they will often get themselves injured a few weeks before the job ends. Hell my friends brother did this -- he is a Journeyman Electrician making about 45 an hour (not counting overtime) took a Saw-zall and cut into his own leg because he knew all the people on the bench and he wouldn't get another gig for over 6 months. Again I don't condone this ( granted I might break a few bones but take a saw-zall to my leg )but I understand it.

 

The owners of the Contractors won't say a word as they know they will be battling the Union if they do. Even if you win a court case against the Unions as a Subcontractor on this stuff the Union will blacklist you and give you the worst workers they can.