I'm trying to watch it.....can't get it on my phone and my laptop is crappy for video. I saw a write upon it, but couldn't get the video. Does anyone have a link ?

the congressional staff that conducted this "investigation" work for Tom Coburn, a senator from Oklahoma. He is on record as pro privatizing social security and cutting medicare and ssdi. we have had posters from Oklahoma who had called his office for help with their disability case and his office refused to help anyone with ssdi. read between the lines.

To what? The video you already stated you can't view? A link to the 60 Minutes segment article?

:confused:

i would be willing to bet my house that the percentage of ssdi alj's who are corrupt is miniscule compared to the members of congress who are corrupt.

Hi Echoes
 

I believe what you said is true. Congress is like a child right now. Having a bit of a temper tantrum. Take away their pay, and force a real sit down, maybe the rest of the country won't hurt as much. The world is watching us melt down, I feel shame that our Gov. can't come together to solve our problems and different opinions. Nothing happens without conversation, so this stand still is worthless. Ginnie:(

I saw the segment when aired. I have not applied for SSDI as I'm hoping the medications can get my Lupus/Sjogren's under control so I can be back to work by January. If not, I am going to be forced to apply. Perspective of my situation may have tainted my view of the show.

I wasn't mad or offended. I was a bit disheartened by this show.
A) I did felt this airing would have an effect on approvals issued regardless if people warranted it.
B) I think it's a shame people, and Lawyers feel okay to scam they system set up for folks with a disability. The fact that a lawyer has a 100% approval rate and brings in a doctor to sign the pre-filled out paperwork in the lawyers office in mass screams dirty and low down. The fact that this lawyer has become rich by "ambulance chasing/insurance fraud accidents" sort of fraud on SSDI and taking the available budget out of the hands of people that need it is just dirty.

As for the comments about the Lawyers fees, I didn't have a problem with the way any of that was worded. It didn't even cross my mind until I read it on this thread. I watched my brother-in-law go through his disability claim when he was run over by construction equipment at work. So I knew that the lawyers took their fee out of the amount awarded. I think the show may not have made the clarification because they were highlighting the corruption of lawyers making this a greedy "big business" enterprise. The more lawyers get involved, the more of the awarded and owed disability money doesn't get to the hands that deserve it - the disabled person. They mentioned a statistic about how previously X amount of people showed up with a lawyer, and now X showed up with a lawyer, and it was a vast increase. Again, speaking to the lawyers finding a way to get their hands in a pie that really shouldn't go to them. I haven't even applied, but I feel like I would need a lawyer, that's just the impression I've gotten from the stories I've heard/read, meaning the lawyers are doing their job - making money.

Overall I thought they did a fair job showing some of the abuses/corruption of the system.
The one part I was unsatisfied with was someone (I forget who, and even the exact statement) who said people were abusing the system with disabilities such as RA, because there was no universal testing for diagnosis. I took that a bit sensitive as my diseases are invisible, and that kind of abuse will only make it harder for people who suffer from RA, or invisible illnesses. I fear additional discrimination towards RA and illnesses similar inthe SSDI if the abuses are widespread. I don't know because I don't have any experience myself, but it was just disheartening the obsticals real sufferers would have to go through because of the greed of the scammers.

Hello abbyrition
 

You do pay attention to what is going on with the lawyers and Government. I know the system needs desperately to be corrected, but it doesn't seem like anyone is on that track. ginnie:grouphug:

I rarely watch 60 minutes because of the one way slant that is normally their way. however I watched this one. My take on it was they were focusing more on one particular lawyer who was scamming the system for HIS own gain. It was in just the one state but they made it clear it was going on nation wide.

lol....Yeah, that was a lot clearer in my head when I wrote that !

I meant a link to the video.

I thought I had the right story, but could not click on anything that linked to the video. Turns out the story I found on cbs.com on my phone briefly summarized that story, but was not the story with the link.

Thanks, MM !

Hope, I agree. It seems to mislead at several points saying the government is paying these lawyers, not clarifying that the governments is paying from the awardee's back pay.

Hi Finz
 

Hope you got to see the segment on 60 min. It will take all agencies, and yes the public to put an end to fraud within the system. Do you remember when we discussed this? If everyone does Nothing, to correct the fraud, nothing good will come of it. ginnie:grouphug: