UCP AffNet Entrance
Press Releases: 2005 Releases
United Cerebral Palsy and The Arc Concerned by Chairman Thomas’s Idea to Dismantle Social Security (5/6/05)
Contact: Richard Price
Disability Policy Collaboration
(202) 783-2229 x15
Washington, DC, May 6, 2005 — In response to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) comments to Bloomberg News, Disability Policy Collaboration spokesperson Marty Ford issued the following statement:
We are deeply concerned by Chairman Bill Thomas’s idea to separate the retirement, disability and survivor programs from Social Security, which would dismantle the entire system as we know it. Social Security is an insurance program that truly works and the system is the lifeblood for more than seven million Americans with disabilities, their spouses and families. For most, it is their sole source of income.
While little is known about Chairman Thomas’s recent idea, any effort to separate the disability program from the Social Security system would likely be harmful for beneficiaries with disabilities. We urge all members of Congress who consider making radical changes to the Social Security system to first understand and carefully consider the impact on the system’s beneficiaries.
Millions of Americans with disabilities receiving benefits from Social Security deserve no less.
About the Disability Policy Collaboration, a Partnership of United Cerebral Palsy and The Arc
United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) and The Arc have combined their resources, talents and strong legacy of grassroots involvement in national public policy into a formal Disability Policy Collaboration. Working together, we strive to be more effective in convincing policymakers of the vast unmet needs of our constituents and in mobilizing our constituents, their families, and our chapters and affiliates as active players in national public policy.
About Marty Ford
Marty Ford is the director of legal advocacy for the Disability Policy Collaboration, a partnership of UCP and The Arc. Marty represents both The Arc and UCP on Capitol Hill and in the federal agencies on issues affecting people with disabilities in long term services and supports (including Medicaid), the Supplemental Security Income program, and Social Security disability issues. Marty is vice-chair of the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) and serves as co-chair of the CCD Task Forces on Social Security and on Long Term Services and Supports. CCD is comprised of more than 100 national disability organizations.
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