TRAC Analyses of SSA Data Generate Controversy
September 30, 2011
Author: Louise M. Tarantino| Catherine M. Callery (Kate)
According to an analysis conducted by TRAC (Transitional Access Records Clearinghouse), despite the SSA’s long standing goal of reducing the number of pending disability cases, very recent SSA data show that these matters continue to head in the opposite direction and climbed to 746,712 at the end of June. http://trac.syr.edu/tracreports/ssa/259/. The increase -- up 7.5% from what it was a year ago -- marked the fourth straight quarter that the number of these cases has climbed. These trends were consistent with earlier data released by TRAC for the previous quarter. http://trac.syr.edu/tracreports/ssa/253.
SSA was quick to dispute TRAC’s initial findings. In a press release issued on June 20, 2011, Commissioner Astrue characterized TRAC’s analysis as “sloppy and irresponsible.” Astrue argued that while the number of cases waiting for hearings might have increased, the waiting time had nonetheless gone down during the period in issue. http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/trac-report.htm. Not surprisingly, TRAC responded, defending its report: http://trac.syr.edu/tracreports/ssa/253/include/side_2.html.
The Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) is a data gathering, data research and data distribution organization at Syracuse University. http://trac.syr.edu/aboutTRACgeneral.html. It has issued another report that has garnered even more attention. That report analyzes the disparity among ALJ decisions in individual ODARs: http://trac.syr.edu/tracreports/ssa/254. Needless to say, SSA quickly responded to that report with another press release in which it criticized TRAC’s “methodological sloppiness” and for “comparing apples and oranges.” http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/trac-report-2.htm.
That study has made its way into the popular press (see, e.g., http://www.usatoday.com/money/workplace/2011-07-01-disability-denials_n.htm) and the halls of Congress. The House Subcommittee on Social Security has already held a hearing on the role of ALJs and has asked the agency's inspector general to investigate the agency's oversight of judges. http://waysandmeans.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=255152.
We will be anxious to see what TRAC tackles next….
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