Wakeman52 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 09, 2018 7:00 pm
Hercule Parrot wrote: ↑Sat Apr 07, 2018 11:34 pm
For example, the new system refuses to rely upon the National Health Service's expert medical staff, or to accept the diagnosis and recommendations of community General Practitioners. Instead they contracted with some rather disreputable private sector companies, leading to dubiously accurate, very narrow assessment processes being carried out by questionably qualified staff, in order to declare people fit for work in defiance of all evidence. As longdog reports above, these 'assessments' often fail to withstand scrutiny, but the journey is still very stressful for the subjects.
I have friends who've been subjected to these examinations; one described it as more like an interrogation. Nearly all the appeals they've made against their private sector assessments (which usually result in payments being reduced or even withdrawn) have been upheld. Not everyone appeals. That suits the current agenda, to reduce the bill by raising the bar; a political decision on which I won't comment further.
I just think the current system is rife for abuse, and serves to diminish one's self worth. For example, I have a chronic illness, and was diagnosed while in college. I have two paternal cousins who also have the same illness, although from what I can gather, I have it worse. They live in the UK, I live in the US. While I have had to use my insurance and pay some large amounts over time for deductibles and out of network doctors, and other medical procedures, tests, medicines, etc. I have had 4 surgeries, am taking a Bioengineered medicine at +9k every 6 weeks, and burn up my deductible every year by April. Conversely, my cousins get free treatment on the NHS, so don't need to worry about that.
However here is where it gets interesting. I completed college, attended law school, studied for then took and passed the Bar, all while suffering from the effects of my illness. I do have a high tolerance for pain, but just to paint a better picture, 1 week after taking the Bar I ended up collapsing from the pain and having emergency surgery to remove a bit of me that stopped working. While I have had a few weeks off over the last 20+ years to have some more operations, I have always returned to full time work, and never even contemplated disability.
Now let's turn to my English cousins. Both are over 45, they were diagnosed right after Uni, a few years apart. One has had surgery, the other hasn't. They both live at home with their parents and do not work. They collect their disability and what other benefits they can from the government. They don't really do much else. Yes they have a disability, that can cause pain, discomfort, and require time off. They do not need disability. They could work, but choose to take the easy way out. The Government seems fine with it, so no need for them to even try. However, to say that they are better off collecting their government money, and staying home, watching TV, playing video games, and using their computer. While they do have what I have, and it sucks for them, I do not consider myself disabled, or disadvantaged because of my illness. My illness hasn't stopped me becoming a Lawyer, and doing well for myself.
I feel the easy access and low barriers to disability benefit has effectively ruined my cousins lives. While they are also partly to blame for abusing it, and accepting that they were disabled, as it was in their financial interest. I also know in the 20+ years from their diagnosis, medicines have improved, so has surgery, to a point where this condition can be managed quite well. In my view there is no reason for them to continue getting it, but they likely are experts in the system and will keep receiving it until they die.
Perhaps it is Natural Selection at work. As they both still live at home, and have done so since Uni, and they don't really go out, because, why? They have not found a life partner, and at this point, likely will never reproduce, putting an end to that lazy, entitled, family line.