ALS For support and discussion of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also referred to as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." In memory of BobbyB.


advertisement
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-10-2007, 08:13 AM #1
BobbyB's Avatar
BobbyB BobbyB is offline
In Remembrance
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,609
15 yr Member
BobbyB BobbyB is offline
In Remembrance
BobbyB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,609
15 yr Member
Thumbs up One Problem Congress Could Fix

One Problem Congress Could Fix


(AP / CBS)
CBS News Legal Analyst Andrew Cohen tells us about a mother of three who just discovered that Social Security isn't all that social and doesn't provide all that much security.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

People always talk about Social Security in the abstract and politicians of all stripes throw around fantastic numbers describing it-- figures that have long since lost their meaning. But here is a story about Social Security and one woman, one family, that draws into clear focus what the program should be about and why it fails too many people.

Claire Collier is a mother of three. For 16 years, from 1979 until 1994, she worked and paid into Social Security the way the rest of us do. Then she left her job to become a mother and stay home through the birth of her other children. So far, it's a story that millions of us can relate to and identify with. But here is where the story changes. In 2003, Collier was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. Her family spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on her care and then applied for Social Security, figuring that her years in the workforce would generate some sort of disability pension.

They figured wrong. It turns out that the law as it currently stands requires a person to have a "sufficient recent work history to qualify for benefits." If you are over 31 years old, you have to have worked five of the past ten years to be eligible for disability benefit. That rule precludes Collier because she hasn't worked since becoming a mother. And it's a rule that precludes all other mothers and fathers who have decided to stay home and raise their children. Does that sound like good policy to you? It doesn't to me.

A federal appeals court last week agreed that Collier's story was a "human tragedy" but was unwilling-- the judges said they were unable-- to help Collier. She had argued that the Social Security rule was unconstitutional because it burdened women (stay-at-home-moms) more than others. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court said, however, that it could find no evidence that Congress intended to discriminate against women in this way. But the judges also implored Congress to remedy the problem. And, indeed, pending in both chambers, is the "Claire Collier Social Security Disability Insurance Fairness Act."

You don't need to be ill, or on Social Security yourself, to recognize that Collier deserves more from a system into which she had paid all those years. The new Congress has talked a lot recently about wanting to "hit the ground running" and break through the gridlock of the past few terms. Here is its chance.
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/01...y2340439.shtml
__________________

.

ALS/MND Registry

.
BobbyB is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Old 01-10-2007, 08:15 AM #2
BobbyB's Avatar
BobbyB BobbyB is offline
In Remembrance
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,609
15 yr Member
BobbyB BobbyB is offline
In Remembrance
BobbyB's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,609
15 yr Member
Default

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Now you're in the public comment zone. What follows is not CBS News stuff; it comes from other people and we don't vouch for it. A reminder: By using this Web site you agree to accept our Terms of Service. Click here to read the Rules of Engagement.

Comments [ + Post Your Own ]

I was diagnosed with ALS in 2003 and also have no social security benefits available for the same reason.
There is no question that the social security system discriminates against stay at home mothers.
I do not however blame the Bush administration, as these rules were enacted during earlier years of a democratic lead congress. No party is to blame.The system simply forgot,again, about the value of stay at home mothers.Again we see that value is only given to those who personally earn a paycheck.
I devoted myself to being a team partner with my husband. We were a team in the success of his employment, a team in the success of raising good and honest children who are respectful citizens of this great nation, and now, we are a team in fighting this disease that seeks to slow and burden my life. I thank God for my husband, and the value that he gives me. My government may not see me as a contributor, but my husband does, my family does, and my friends do also...and that, along with the graceful care from God, gets me through these difficult days.
They say that I have a very slow progressive form of ALS. It is true that that is a blessing, but just think of how my insurance company sees that, and of how my government may consider that burdensome. I am no longer considered valuable by their definitions.
I hope that there is success to changing these social security rules and the passing of this "fairness act".
Molly Ann

Posted by mersamolly at 01:17 PM : Jan 09, 2007
+ report this comment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Did she have a husband? I don't think the whole story is told
Posted by Xsoldier2 at 12:26 PM : Jan 09, 2007
+ report this comment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The people in office now created the grid lock. What makes you think it can be broken now
Posted by Xsoldier2 at 12:25 PM : Jan 09, 2007
+ report this comment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It really seems like common sense. I do not understand. why the Courts, the Law Makers and the Congress are so slow to act in these matters.
Posted by gotprayer at 12:20 PM : Jan 09, 2007
+ report this comment


http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/01...y2340439.shtml
__________________

.

ALS/MND Registry

.
BobbyB is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:07 PM.

Powered by vBulletin • Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

vBulletin Optimisation provided by vB Optimise v2.7.1 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
 

NeuroTalk Forums

Helping support those with neurological and related conditions.

 

The material on this site is for informational purposes only,
and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment
provided by a qualified health care provider.


Always consult your doctor before trying anything you read here.