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The following letter was sent to President Obama (with copies to news agencies) regarding an inherant weakness in the healthcare reform program.
Mr. President Obama,
What follows is one example of why the health care reform does not go far enough. This example deals with SSI disability claims and the manner in which they are mishandled and manipulated to prevent approval.
During my initial application, and after filling out all the additional forms sent to me, I became impatient waiting and contacted the local office. I found they had scheduled an appointment for me with their doctor (which I had missed) and hadn’t notified me. I was able to reschedule and went to their doctor.
The cause of disability is COPD, advanced Emphazema, hyper-viscous blood (hemochromatosis), herniated disk (lower back) and spinal stinosis. The doctor checked upper body range of motion and determined in writing that I was not disabled and had diabetes ( no tests for diabetes have been administered and I am not diabetic). It was decided I should get a job as a telemarketer despite my shortness of breath. This was based on my attempt to work as a telemarketer as a last resort though I was dismissed due to my breathing problems.
I appealed through an attorney (the usual procedure) to find they would not recognize him or correspond with him until he threatened legal action. They have now acknowledged the listed conditions but again claim I missed an appointment with their doctor that neither I nor my attorney was notified of and have denied disability based on this requiring I file yet another appeal.
I, and many others like me, are not looking to milk the system. In my case, I was drafted for Vietnam but was rejected due to a heart condition and have worked and paid my taxes for forty years. Those taxes included SSI withholdings to cover retirement and, if necessary, disability. I don’t feel people like me being treated fairly is too much to ask or expect.
Correcting problems with the insurance companies and making insurance available to all is a good start as is a rework of the medical and pharmaceutical industries. But while the very agencies that will undoubtedly administer at least a part of the program, specifically the Medicaid portion, employ dishonest, misleading and manipulative means to prevent access to benefits, the poor and the disabled will still be left to die without access to medical care.
Respectfully,
Douglas DeMilo
