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Ranking Member Lewis Opening Statement at Joint Hearing on Social Security’s Representative Payee Program

March 22, 2017

(Remarks as prepared)

Good Morning. Mr. Chairmen, thank you for holding this hearing. I would also like to thank all the witnesses for being here today.

This morning, we will study the Representative Payee Program. As you know, the Social Security Administration (SSA) can appoint a person or organization to manage the benefits for some beneficiaries. These representatives must ensure that those with serious mental and physical disabilities receive good, honest, quality care. This representative payee is expected to do all they can to protect the most vulnerable among us.

SSA must carefully select and regularly monitor payees. In the past, Social Security Administration worked with each state's Protection and Advocacy agency -- known as P&As -- to perform this oversight. They knew what they were doing.

While most representative payees do a good job, some do not. In my home state of Georgia, the P&A reviewers, working on behalf of SSA, discovered a horrible case of the neglect and abuse of multiple persons with disabilities. They lived in terrible housing run by an unlicensed board-and-care operator. The building smelled of rotted seafood, and the living conditions were horrible. The local P&A immediately sounded the alarm to SSA, to Adult Protective Services, and to the agency that regulates health care facilities. The P&A took no chances; they wasted no time.

Many of us are concerned that SSA selected a contractor, which does not appear to have these critical skills. Perhaps this was due to the extreme budget situation facing the agency. Perhaps SSA thought that they could cut corners and save money with this contract.

Respecting the dignity and worth of every human being is not about a price tag. It is about doing what is right and just. Mr. Chairmen, we cannot strengthen this program by starving Social Security. You simply cannot squeeze blood from a turnip. Congress must give the hard-working staff the support and resources they need to protect and serve the most vulnerable among us.

All of us agree that those who prey upon our brothers and sisters must be caught. They must be held accountable. I know that each and every one of us will be paying close attention to this situation. On this issue, there is no room for error. There is no space for failure. There is no time to delay. We are here today because we have a moral responsibility to leave no stone unturned on this issue.

Again, I thank the witnesses for being here today. I look forward to the testimony. Thank you, Mr. Chairmen.

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