WHEREAS:

The California Department of Social Services and the Social Security Administration have embarked on a redesign process that allows non-physicians to review records to determine the residual functional capacity of some claimants applying for Social Security disability; and

WHEREAS:

The Department of Social Services has not changed the basic concept that a medically determinable condition must be diagnosed in order to qualify for disability; and WHEREAS Through the efforts of Union of American Physicians and Dentists/AFSCME, the Attorney General of California has ruled non-physician reviewers cannot legally order laboratory studies or x-rays; and

WHEREAS:

Mandatory physician review gives the hundreds of thousands of claimants a far more uniform and accurate medical review of their claim.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME continue its vigorous work for mandatory physician review nationwide on all Social Security disability claims.

SUBMITTED BY:

Lyle N. Yates, M.D. and Delegate 
Union of American Physicians & Dentists/AFSCME Local 206
California