From the SOAR President: Don’t be Fooled by the Smoke Screens

Having just returned from the SOAR Conference and USW Convention, I could easily write an article that would fill many pages, but I will focus on a few critical issues that are important to us.

At the SOAR Conference, the delegates heard from Jessica LaPointe, the President of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Council 220, representing employees of the Social Security Administration (SSA). I had the fortunate opportunity to have lunch with Jessica, where we continued our discussion about the ongoing dismantling of Social Security offices across the country.

Anyone who has tried to contact a representative from the SSA can attest to how difficult it can be. I was informed that this situation would only worsen with the massive reduction of employees at that agency caused by the imposed layoffs.

The inability to speak with someone for assistance will only increase our frustration, and it could lead to a solution favored by those who have long opposed Social Security: “PRIVATIZATION.”

I would like to share my recent experience with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding a letter I received.

The letter informed me about a change in a benefit I was receiving, but did not specify which benefit it referred to. It instructed me to contact CMS for clarification. After a lengthy wait, I finally spoke with a representative. After I read the letter to him, he indicated that he did not have any information about my issue, but reassured me that it didn’t seem too serious.

When I asked him if he was concerned about the layoffs, he replied that he wasn’t worried because he was a contracted employee. Although he could not assist me, he assured me he would keep his job.

During that call, he inadvertently changed my preference regarding the sharing of medical information without my authorization. What purpose did he serve other than to frustrate callers who needed help?

Afterward, I received another letter from CMS notifying me of this change in preference, which I did not authorize. This prompted me to call again. After waiting 34 minutes, I finally spoke with a government employee, rather than a sub-contract employee, who corrected the error and provided answers to my initial question.

What does my experience with the CMS have to do with the thousands of employees laid off at the Social Security Administration? My concern is the heightened frustration that recipients like me will face when trying to get help – all in the name of reducing costs.

Don’t be fooled. Stay aware of this smokescreen: The current federal administration isn’t just looking to cut costs; it aims to privatize Social Security. Privatization removes the security from Social Security. If we don’t speak up and fight back, we risk ending up with a system that goes against our true needs.