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Problems with a government safety net continue to worsen, threatening the physical and financial health of millions of Americans, including residents of Athens County, according to a report issued by the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services.

The report echoes media accounts from across the country of a growing problem with people denied Social Security disability assistance.

“It’s been an issue for years, and absolutely is a nationwide problem,” said Jack Frech, executive director of the county agency.

According to the agency’s report, backed up by statistics from Social Security Administration, of the 2.5 million people who file disability claims annually, nearly two-thirds initially are denied.
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Injured veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan are facing a number of issues, ranging from delays in disability claims to medical care.

A new 544-page report by the Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission says veterans are waiting 177 days to have claims processed.

Last week, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America started running television ads blasting both the Bush administration and Congress for continuing problems with veterans’ care. Although both the Senate and House have passed separate bills significantly boosting funding for the health-care system, they’ve stalled amid bipartisan bickering between members of Congress and the White House.

Retired Lt. Gen. James Terry Scott, executive director of the disability benefits commission, told Congress this week that drastic changes are needed at Veterans Affairs and quickly. One proposal floated by some veterans’ advocates is to allow vets to have their disability claims processed immediately, with audits done later. Although this raises the risk of fraudulent claims, supporters note it’s really no different than how annual taxes are filed with the Internal Revenue Service.

David W. Gorman, executive director of the Disabled American Veterans, said the need to think outside the box is why it’s so important that President Bush give top priority to quickly finding a quality replacement for recently departed Veterans Affairs Secretary Jim Nicholson and not a sort of lame duck or “placeholder.”

Gorman is right. Effective leadership is required to sort through the red tape, propose innovative solutions and deal with the White House and Congress.

Meanwhile, in Pennsylvania, the Legislature needs to get moving on bills in the hopper to increase the small games of chance payout limit unchanged since 1988 that is severely hampering American Legion and VFW posts that provide various services to veterans and their families.

It’s only a small step, but anything that addresses what is fast becoming a national disgrace regarding the treatment of veterans would be welcome.