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Articles from prior issues of The Advocate
May/June, 1999
| Stanford Ross, Chairman of Social Security Advisory Board Addresses
the NADE Board by Lisa Martin, Southwest Regional Director STANFORD ROSS, CHAIRMAN OF SOCIAL Security Advisory Board, and Margaret Malone, Staff Director of the Social Security Advisory Board, addressed the NADE Board at the mid-year meeting on March 10, 1999. This was the first time that NADE had the opportunity to hear from members of the Social Security Advisory Board first hand. Mr. Ross served as the SSA Commissioner under President Jimmy Carter. He took his position shortly after the January, 1977 appropriations bill was passed. During this period there were calls for reform of the disability program. Jake Pickle of Texas was the head of the SSA Subcommittee at the time. Ross led the administration response for reforms. He gave a history of those disability reform measures which included many of the changes that occurred in the continuing disability review (CDR) cases. Today he does not see any really desire of Congress to tackle the problems of the disability program. The SSA Advisory Board was created in 1994 when SSA became an independent agency. The Advisory Board is now addressing issues that hinder the system and interfere with the system being responsive to the public. The goal is to try to make sure those that come into contact with SSA find a smooth, understandable system. He stated that it is evident from speaking to employees in SSA, DDS and OHA that all who provide services are genuine in their interest to serve the public the best they can. Mr. Ross outlined some of the major administrative changes that SSA should pursue. SSA needs to: Pursue administrative initiatives that overcome the three cultures: DDS, OHA and Office of Disability. We need to bridge this cultural divide. An on-going joint training initiative to address all components is needed. He stated he was mystified that so many good things were heard about the PUTT training, yet on-going training has not been pursued. Develop a single presentation of policy for all those involved. A great set of concrete guidance is needed. An example he used was the update of the listings of impairments. Address Quality Assurance issues. SSA needs an on-line and end-line quality assurance that is given in a constructive mode. More efforts such be given to develop a single computer system for all users so that all users can share files and data with electronic transfer of information. The impact of lawyers and representatives in the process needs to be addressed, as only one side is represented. It was Mr. Ross' opinion that one sided proceedings do not work. A one-sided adversary hearing is not equitable. Everyone agrees that better , more understandable decisions would decrease the number of appeals and that is what is needed. However, over the last 20 years this has not happened. It is the SSA Advisory Board's desire to try to make this happen. Mr. Ross then opened the floor to questions and answers. He ended his presentation by asking the board the following question, “The state DDS allowance rate has gone up, the ALJ rate has gone down. Why?” He asked that board members send a response by e-mail to info@ssab.gov |
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