A report in USA Today has further fueled my fears that the Social Security disability program is headed for cutbacks that will make it harder for disabled people to get and keep disability benefits. Proposals already on the table for changes to Social Security Administration regulations are at least partially aimed at this goal, and reflect an attitude of looking for new ways to deny benefits.
The USA Today story states that for Fiscal Year 2004, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid accounted for almost half of the total federal spending. These three programs combined for a total cost of more than $1 trillion in a total federal budget of $2.2 trillion.
“Reform” is almost inevitable, and when it comes, it will be a blow to the neediest in our society.
