CBS: Failing the Disabled "System-wide culture to deny claims" -- no, not an insurance co. [View All]

[TygrBright]

Source: CBS Website/News Broadcast

>>When Farner filed a claim against a lifetime of paying into federal Social Security disability, she was turned down -- twice. Even though a rejection letter acknowledged she was severely disabled. But not disabled enough: Unable to perform work of any kind.

"It's a very tough standard," said Michael Astrue, commissioner of the Social Security Administration. "And you can argue whether that should be the standard or not, but I'm stuck with that."

A two-month CBS News Investigation uncovered a system whose own standards have been called into question - a federal agency reeling from budget cuts and high staff turnover. Doctors making decisions outside their specialties, and inexperienced examiners under pressure to keep costs down.<<

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/01/15/cbsnews_investigates/main3718129.shtml

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Also in the news today: Merck & Schering-Plough have been shining on people at risk for stroke, heart attacks, etc., with a bogus 'miracle drug'. As seen earlier here on DU:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3138735&mesg_id=3138735

Geez, a twofer. Two great stories about what to expect from the health care system in one day.

So, someone wanna make a case about how America's health care system "is not either broken, so stop saying that!" Or better yet, how we have "the best health care in the world!"

Right.

Really.

disgustedly,
Bright