I think you are all committed, as I am, to securing the future of our disability program.

We need the talents, the dedication, and the creativity of people with disabilities in the workforce, but equally important is we need policies and programs and investments that support this paradigm shift from a medical model to one that…

And get after those crooks, Mr. O'Carroll.

I hear what you are saying. And you guys over at Social Security need to figure out how to check with people when they get indications like that--I must get two or three a week, for crying out loud, where, you know, 'You won a billion…

Thank you. I want to thank you all for being here, and I appreciate your presence.

Millions of hard working Americans rely on Social Security and deserve the peace of mind that their benefits will arrive safely and on time.

There should be another way to do it, and Mr. O'Carroll can probably figure that out.

I support that. But I am concerned about ID thieves taking advantage of some of our seniors who get caught in scams.

Aren't you being hypocritical, asking your service providers to do what you won't do?

I think it is time that they have caught up with the rest of the world and started moving to an environment where the SSN is not on the card.

I am a little bit upset. First, CMS responded to a bipartisan letter from leadership of this committee over 12 months after the deadline.

I think it is unfair. But how dare CMS treat this committee, this Congress, and our nation's seniors with such contempt?

Well, they did it because they were able to and willing to make the change as they print new cards.

And it is outrageous that you are kind of thumbing your nose at Congress and seniors.

I don't understand what is taking so long.

Well, it is all of us, both the Democrats and Republicans working together on this committee that have become upset about empty words.

You like Government control of your practice?

It is too bad the President and others are attacking this spirit.

As Chief Justice John Marshall once said, the power to tax involves the power to destroy.

Thank you, sir. Appreciate your testimony. And since this may be your last meeting with us, we thank you for your service to Social Security and to the government.

As is customary, for each round of questions, I will limit my time to 5 minutes and ask my colleagues to also limit their questioning to 5 minutes as well.

Those sidelined from working because of a disability must be able to count on a fair and timely hearing by a Social Security judge. Americans need to know that the same rules apply to everyone. This hearing will tell us whether the appeals…

Chairman Johnson Announces the Fourth in a Hearing Series on Securing the Future of the Social Security Disability Insurance Program

Again, I want to thank you all for being here today and for your testimony.

Yeah. I don't think it is mandatory at all under congressional edict.