8th Circuit NOSSCR Conference (NCLE)- August 9-11, 2006

If you handle, as an attorney or representative, more than one Social Security disability hearing per decade, be sure to reserve your spot at the seminar in August. Great lineup of talks. Many great speakers, several of them nationally known. Somehow, even I got on the list of speakers!

For further information, FOLLOW THE LINK BELOW (or copy and paste it into your browser) to see the brochure

http://www.nebar.com/education/calendar.htm

Interesting Fact:

“SSA has reduced its average processing time for initial disability claims by about two weeks since 2001. While applicants waited on average 106 days for a decision in 2001, SSA improved the wait in 2005 to 93 days.” Source: the “2007 President's Budget” Proposal http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/fy2007/ssa.html

Not bad. It only took four years to shave 13 days from the wait!

New Medicaid Citizenship Documentation Required

Prior to July 1, 2006, Medicaid recipients were required to sign a statement declaring they were a U.S. citizen to meet the Medicaid citizenship requirement. However, passage of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 changed this rule. Beginning July 1, 2006 all Medicaid recipients will have to provide documentation verifying both citizenship and identity.

People who receive Medicare or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are exempt from this requirement. Qualified immigrants, those with documentation that gives them status to receive Medicaid, are subject to a different process and are not affected by these new requirements.

Homeland Security will no doubt be happy about this new requirement ... HHS workers will not.

Independence Day

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary"

So began, on July 4, 1776, the revolution that guaranteed our independence today. We are so blessed. From tyranny and despotism to laws created by the people for the people. Three branches of government that balance each other, and have survived the test of time.

How true this simple statement, now more than 200 years old, is:

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

Take time today, and often, to reflect and enjoy this independence that is the envy of the world.