Feds Raid Power Wheelchair Company

Friday, February 22, 2013

On Wednesday, 150 federal and state agents raided The Scooter Store headquarters in New Braunfels, Texas. Last year, former employees told CBS News the company's main goal is not to help patients -- it's to pressure doctors into writing prescriptions to boost profits. Once a doctor has written a prescription, Medicare rarely verifies whether the chairs are actually necessary. Former employee Brian Setzer described the process this way: "Bulldoze and get them to get the paperwork done."

Posted by Robson at 10:31 AM | 85 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Robson

Joined 2006/05/28
Visited 2013/05/18

Status: user

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Unz: The Myth of American Meritocracy (186 comments) ...

Feds Raid Power Wheelchair Company (85 comments) ...

Every time I saw one of their ads foisting one of their expensive power wheelchairs on seniors claiming it won't cost you a dime it made my blood boil. It was easy to see that it was set up intentionally to have seniors push their doctor to sign off on the need for these wheelchairs when they were a luxury that was not needed by many and many who could afford them would not waste their own money. There is not a day goes by when I see these being sold by individuals. The fraud by physicians, pharmaceuticals, equipment providers, etc. is why Medicare is going broke.

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Preview of Obamacare here.
The government makes and funds a program "for the seniors" and companies rip them off.

#1 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-02-21 09:59 PM | Reply | Flag:

Good, I hate those damn things. They have lead to the premature death of more people and the increase in obesity among people who could use the walk. This is a good device when used by people who need them and are not capable of walking but they may be more abused that social security disability.

#3 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-21 10:12 PM | Reply | Flag:

Last time I was at Disneyland (November) I noticed a considerable increase in the number of lazy fat-a$$es on those things. Get up and walk, tubby! That's why you're so damned fat in the first place!

#4 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 10:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Preview of Obamacare here."

Er, no. A present case of fraud. No "preview" at all. I know this is hard to fit into your "Obama BAD! Insurance GOOD!" narrative, but there it is.

#5 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 10:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

Obligatory.

#6 | Posted by ness_gadol at 2013-02-21 10:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

#5 | POSTED BY HARRY_POWELL

Whether you want to admit it or not these scooters are yet another government entitlement being abused by people. No different that an Obama phone, EBT card or social security disability.

#7 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-21 10:57 PM | Reply | Flag:

This doesn't surprise me at all. Whenever I listened to the ads, I wondered how much money these companies were ripping us off of.

#8 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-21 10:58 PM | Reply | Flag:

Obama is responsible for Social Security disability fraud? And please, Obama didn't start the phone program or EBT cards. Continue to flail wildly against the Kenyan Muslim Socialist. You're quite funny.

#9 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 11:04 PM | Reply | Flag:

No different that an Obama phone

It should be called the Reagan phone because that program was started up by the mush-brained maven of Marine massacres.

#10 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2013-02-21 11:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

Rinobot grow up for once.

#11 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-21 11:08 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Er, no. A present case of fraud. No 'preview' at all. I know this is hard to fit into your 'Obama BAD! Insurance GOOD!'"

Harry, why does anyone commit a fraud in the first place?
Money is there to be taken. Obamacare provides that in a royal flush opportunity.
Ever hear of Medicare fraud? No?
It must not exist, then, because Harry has not heard of it.

#12 | Posted by Diablo at 2013-02-21 11:10 PM | Reply | Flag:

#9 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 11:04 PM | Reply

SSI claims and awards are at an all time high.

#13 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-21 11:13 PM | Reply | Flag:

Obligatory.

#6 | Posted by ness_gadol

OMG--that is funny--lol

#14 | Posted by MURPHY at 2013-02-21 11:15 PM | Reply | Flag:

#9 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 11:04 PM | Reply |

Harry, SSI is another program that is abused considerably. Just an example:

online.wsj.com

#15 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-21 11:17 PM | Reply | Flag:

This has been going on for years. I remember the storefront behind my office being shut down. Probably about this time frame. May have been this Dr. www.homecaremag.com

#16 | Posted by et_al at 2013-02-21 11:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

Exactly my point. Nothing bad ever happened under a Republican president. Laughable at best.

#17 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 11:28 PM | Reply | Flag:

"SSI is another program that is abused considerably."

Of course, that only started in 2009. Seriously?

#18 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 11:28 PM | Reply | Flag:

Uhh . . . he's not saying that Obama is responsible for it. It's that big government by its nature is what makes the fraud so enticing and rewarding, and also easy.

#19 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-21 11:29 PM | Reply | Flag:

No that's a complete misrepresentation of his so-called "point"

#20 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 11:29 PM | Reply | Flag:

P.S., large corporations have more than their share of fraud. As the guy said when asked why he robbed banks "That's where the money is"

#21 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 11:31 PM | Reply | Flag:

#9 | POSTED BY HARRY_POWELL

Harry you have Obama guilt syndrome. When I write "Whether you want to admit it or not these scooters are yet another government entitlement being abused by people. No different that an Obama phone, EBT card or social security disability." Obama phone is a well know item but the overall statement is not aimed ant any one but the general issue of government entitlements. Now if you're feeling guilty maybe we should discuss this further.

#22 | Posted by paneocon at 2013-02-21 11:31 PM | Reply | Flag:

No that's a complete misrepresentation of his so-called "point"

#20 | Posted by Harry_Powell at 2013-02-21 11:29 PM | Reply

Harry, you're wrong; ugly is right. You should stop putting thoughts into other people's head and read their comments more carefully.

#23 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-21 11:32 PM | Reply | Flag:

#23 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-21 11:32 PM | Reply

Oh, and Harry; where in any of my comments did I say or even insinuate Obama was responsible for SSI fraud. You may now apologize.

#24 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-21 11:35 PM | Reply | Flag:

No government in the history of the galaxy is bigger than Obama's America, or his titanic, money-no-object spending. Little wonder the cockroaches come out to feast on the goodies lying out on the floor.

Obama didn't build the ship. But he did put on a blindfold, told the engine room to crank it up to Obamulus speed, and headed out to where the icebergs might be. Every day he refuses to touch entitlements, he encourages dishonest people to figure out how to get Medicare to pay for something. In this case, wheelchairs for fatties.

#25 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-21 11:40 PM | Reply | Flag:

This is a sad day indeed for the tea-blimps.

www.urantiansojourn.com

#26 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2013-02-21 11:40 PM | Reply | Flag:

What's the problem? They're just smart entrepreneurs. Business have one goal, that's to make money.

#27 | Posted by tfdnihilist at 2013-02-22 12:11 AM | Reply | Flag:

So reading the posts on this thread, the message I get from the Right-wingers is...
"It's not the fault of the guy who stole your car, it's your fault for leaving it unlocked."

#28 | Posted by TFDNihilist at 2013-02-22 12:14 AM | Reply | Flag:

Your analogy doesn't work. I think what you meant to say was, "it's not the fault of the guy who built another entitlement program, this time for lazy fat people, if the government keeps sending him checks."

He did what he was paid to do. I remember how I was lynched here on the DR for suggesting that Medicare recipients should at least have to pay for their own Viagra. No can do, everyone said. They're entitled! They should get it! And so on it goes. Wheelchairs for porkers, free stiffies for everyone. And if some knuckle-dragging conservative suggests that we at least means-test these programs, to protect them for future retirees who aren't well off, the libbies show up and say there's some social contract that says we need to buy Cialis for millionaires.

#29 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-22 12:24 AM | Reply | Flag:

"it's not the fault of the guy who built another entitlement program, this time for lazy fat people, if the government keeps sending him checks."

#29 | Posted by uglyblinddate

That sentence makes no sense.
The fault here lies not in the program, or with fat people, but with the guy who is pushing products on people who don't need them. It's with doctor's and salesman who sell people stuff they don't need because they can get fudge a Government program to pay for it.
Rick Scott anyone?

#30 | Posted by TFDNihilist at 2013-02-22 12:41 AM | Reply | Flag:

I've read righties say on this site many times that the sole purpose of a business is to make money, however it can. With that attitude what does it matter that the taxpayers are footing the bill? The Scooter Store's only purpose is to sell as many scooters as it can. If they found a way to do that by convincing idiots who don't need one that it's free, who is a good capitalist to say they're wrong?

#31 | Posted by TFDNihilist at 2013-02-22 12:45 AM | Reply | Flag:

Medicare says that everyone is covered, and medical costs can't be taken in to account. Neither can the patient's ability to pay himself. Get a doc to write a prescription, and here ya go.

My uncle is a 78 year-old millionaire who just had a quadruple bypass. I don't know how much those cost--$50,000 or so? Maybe more? He didn't have to pay a dime. He could have, easily. His doc had six others to do that day. It's a multi-billion dollar assembly line they have going, on the Gold Coast of Florida.

This is a liberal program. Liberals are the ones who insist that we're stealing from our elderly if we even ask whether or not we should reform the system, somehow. So don't feign outrage when a couple of hundred people screw us out of a free motorized scooter, when Provenge and Cialis are on the market, paid for in full.

#32 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-22 12:57 AM | Reply | Flag:

And I've heard lefties say that the function of government is to spend money. That way we can get out of the recession. With that attitude why should it matter whether it goes to a drone manufacturer in California, paving the runway of an airport that is never used, or to a motorized wheelchair guy? Spending is spending, right? It's all good, right? It's crazy not to spend all we can when the Fed will monetize our debt at 0%, right? So what's the problem? Upset that you didn't get a fancy chair for yourself before the FBI came knocking on their door?

#33 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-22 12:59 AM | Reply | Flag:

If they found a way to do that by convincing idiots who don't need one that it's free, who is a good capitalist to say they're wrong?

#31 | Posted by TFDNihilist

I don't have a problem with it, as long as the idiots are using their own money. They're using mine. And yours. That's why I hate it, and have from the beginning. Why does this particular story have libbies upset, but not SS disability fraud? Why not money going to illegals?

Libbies are weird.

#34 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-22 01:01 AM | Reply | Flag:

Good riddence I hate their ads.

#35 | Posted by Tor at 2013-02-22 01:04 AM | Reply | Flag:

Libbies are weird.

#34 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-22 01:01 AM | Reply

And inconsistent and hypocritical.

#36 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-22 04:44 AM | Reply | Flag:

"The SCOOTER Store headquarters in New Braunfels, Texas"

Why does it always have to be TEXAS?

#37 | Posted by Twinpac at 2013-02-22 05:06 AM | Reply | Flag:

"Why does this particular story have libbies upset, but not SS disability fraud?"

Why do you make idiotic assumptions about liberals? I've posted lots of times right here about the need to weed out the thousands of fraudsters getting disability, I've even suggested that we, as citizens, have a duty to report the frauds that we become aware of even if that means reporting our own friends or acquaintances. It's a major problem, Bill Maher brought it up on his show a couple of weeks ago. He's not a liberal?

#38 | Posted by danni at 2013-02-22 06:43 AM | Reply | Flag:

I would make one suggestion on reversing the philosophy that leads individuals and companies to abuse and defraud government programs.

Simply make all of these payments fully public and searchable on a web site including corporate entitlements, with names and addresses of individuals and principals. Include SSI, wheel chair disbursements, unemployment, economic development handouts, etc. Anything that involves taxpayer dollars being handed out should be made public and searchable.

Anonymity is what allows all of this to persist without any stigma. The stigma needs reversed from "I'm a sap if I do not scam the system" to one of "I'm embarrassed to scam the system because my neighbors or competitors will know".

If we the people knew that our neighbors are receiving disability benefits while they are doing more physical work than we can do, it would soon make frivolous disability payments unacceptable and change philosophies.

#39 | Posted by Robson at 2013-02-22 07:56 AM | Reply | Flag:

"If we the people knew that our neighbors are receiving disability benefits while they are doing more physical work than we can do, it would soon make frivolous disability payments unacceptable and change philosophies."

There was a time in America when the scorn of society kept most folks pretty honest. That time has passed, it's a little hard to ask the average Joe to be scrupulously honest while the wealthy are bragging that greed is good. We have big banks betting against their own investors and no one is ever punished, we have insurance companies purposely denying bills they know good and well are due under the terms of the policies. Our society is infested with dishonesty from top to bottom.

#40 | Posted by danni at 2013-02-22 08:07 AM | Reply | Flag:

"The SCOOTER Store headquarters in New Braunfels, Texas"

Why does it always have to be TEXAS?

#37 | Posted by Twinpac at 2013-02-22 05:06 AM | Reply | Flag:

Because we're tax friendly for the most part, but this one is funnier (if you're a cynic like me). To even get on the ballot in that are you have to be super far right conservative. That city cut Scooter store all kinds of additional tax breaks to come there and setup shop, which weren't even close to necessary to begin with because our business taxes really are friendly.

#41 | Posted by sitzkrieg at 2013-02-22 11:04 AM | Reply | Flag:

Preview of Obamacare here.
The government makes and funds a program "for the seniors" and companies rip them off.

#1 | Posted by Diablo

Sorry; but no. This particular company has been doing this since well before Obama or Obamacare. Quite frankly some industry insiders have been wondering what was up and when they would get raided for years. Everybody else left this particular market because it became next to impossible to get these things covered by Medicare and other insurance.

#42 | Posted by GalaxiePete at 2013-02-22 11:20 AM | Reply | Flag:

I guess they were slow in making their contribution to the DNC or Obama Permanent Campaign fund. Business owners beware, if you don't make your payoffs in a timely fashion you face jail time or even being shot during arrest.

#43 | Posted by visitor_ at 2013-02-22 11:23 AM | Reply | Flag:

Harry,

Uh Yes a preview to Obummer care. Probably the worst bill ever written, laden with ways to defraud the system legally. But don't believe me, just wait and you will see. Thousands of new employees we do not need. More bloated bureaucratic B.S. and waste. Lower standards of healthcare. And the 890 billion dollar cost is now at 2.7 trillion and counting according to the CBO.

The fraud from a few scooters will be welcomed after you see how poor and expensive healthcare is going to get. Just answer one question, what has the government ever run better than the private sector? Nobody has yet named one thing.

You see it is not about healthcare, it is about control of the population. If you think healthcare was expensive when you had to pay for it just wait until it is free and see whart it costs. The numbers are starting to come out and it looks like for starters costs will almost triple.

They should have closed the scooter loophole years ago.

#44 | Posted by gtjr at 2013-02-22 12:34 PM | Reply | Flag:

.....
.....Scooter fraud .... just not the same without a Libby .....
...

#45 | Posted by skizziks at 2013-02-22 12:37 PM | Reply | Flag:

#21

Harry,

You just don't get it, business keeps fighting to eliminate the fraud, big government just keeps raising our taxes to pay for the fraud. Big difference

#46 | Posted by gtjr at 2013-02-22 12:38 PM | Reply | Flag:

Now the the death squads are taking our Hoverhounds? Jayzuz hep us!

#47 | Posted by phesterOBoyle at 2013-02-22 12:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

#40 | Posted by danni at 2013-02-22 08:07 AM | Reply

Bingo, Danni, you're setting all kinds of records today for rational thought. I think it's always been that way but it's more visible since cable and more news outlets along with the internet came along. You won't agree with the thought that as you allow government to increase in size and take away from folks reponsibility/accountability from society top to bottom, that's when you get what we have today.

#48 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-22 12:54 PM | Reply | Flag:

A Texas company ripping off the Federal Government?

Shocking!

#49 | Posted by donnerboy at 2013-02-22 12:58 PM | Reply | Flag:

There was a time in America when the scorn of society kept most folks pretty honest.

#40 | Posted by danni at 2013-02-22 08:07 AM |

It's the pits when I use some deserved scorn on certain DR posters (who will remain unnamed---but they know who they are)and they don't have a clue and even have an inkling of what honesty is. I've said it ad infinitum; the morals of this society have crumbled since the 60s. And when people say it doesn't affect society, they're nuttier then a fruitcake. Everything emanates from the foundation of morals/honesty.

#50 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-22 01:09 PM | Reply | Flag:

Obama is responsible for Social Security disability fraud?

And please, Obama didn't start the phone program or EBT cards.

#9 | Posted by Harry_Powell

Hell yes to number one.

He may not have started them but they sure have expanded while he is pres.

#51 | Posted by Sniper at 2013-02-22 01:11 PM | Reply | Flag:

Nothing bad ever happened under a Republican president. Laughable at best.

#17 | Posted by Harry_Powell

And that excuses it in your little brain.

#52 | Posted by Sniper at 2013-02-22 01:14 PM | Reply | Flag:

#50. Why do you think society crumbled since the 60's? Causes? Was it because the took The Donna Reed Show off the air?

#53 | Posted by drewinnj at 2013-02-22 01:30 PM | Reply | Flag:

"Why do you think society crumbled since the 60's?"

my mom, who is 80, blames it on the Beatles.

#54 | Posted by eberly at 2013-02-22 01:47 PM | Reply | Flag:

The Sccoter Store is running an add on this thread......LOL

#55 | Posted by eberly at 2013-02-22 01:47 PM | Reply | Flag:

Wow, not Pat Boone?

#56 | Posted by drewinnj at 2013-02-22 01:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

Matsop,

I think you have hit it on the head, if you ever read about the fall of the Roman Empire it goes back to morality, deviant lifestyles, and the population becoming fat and lazy, no work ethic. Look at society today, young people do not work, when I was an early teen I did not get handed an allowance, I had to work for my spend money. I did the same with my kids and they too have a good work ethic. Young people do not think they should have to work to get what they want. They just expect it.

My daughter was transferred to Portland, Oregon and was appalled a the number of homeless young people there. That is saying something as she came from L.A.

#57 | Posted by gtjr at 2013-02-22 02:32 PM | Reply | Flag:

So who you blaming? What deviant lifestyles are you talking about? Lack of morality? Who's? What do you suggest to fix it?

#58 | Posted by drewinnj at 2013-02-22 02:43 PM | Reply | Flag:

..."you better start swimming, or you'll sink like a stone"

#59 | Posted by drewinnj at 2013-02-22 02:45 PM | Reply | Flag:

#57 | Posted by gtjr at 2013-02-22 02:32 PM | Reply

You're quite correct. I worked my way through school even though my dad could afford to support me. Both he and my grandfather were wise and instilled in me the lessons of the great depression. I have 3 great kids with the same values and very successful. To watch the deterioration in this society over the years is sad and it doesn't portend good things for the future. I feel sorry for the next 2 generations unless general society gets it's act together. However, that'll take probably a major global disaster to get people again to value what's really important in life.

#60 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-22 03:12 PM | Reply | Flag:

The rate of fraud in Social Security and Medicare payments is astoundingly low, given the amount of money being passed out every month. When fraud is detected, there's always restitution and sometimes jail. There is a group of people working for Social Security whose entire job is applying sanctions against individual miscreants who try to abuse the system.

I know SS and SSI fraud is a long-time favorite whipping boy for conservatives, and while there is and will always be fraud, the problem is still small.

On the other hand, where are the jobs? When do the wars end? [...].

#61 | Posted by john47 at 2013-02-22 03:28 PM | Reply | Flag:

I know SS and SSI fraud is a long-time favorite whipping boy for conservatives, and while there is and will always be fraud, the problem is still small.

On the other hand, where are the jobs? When do the wars end? [...].

#61 | Posted by john47 at 2013-02-22 03:28 PM | Reply

It depends on what you define as fraud. As mentioned above there are judges that hand out benefits like candy----is that fraudulent? Then there are those given benefits that medical testing has shown no specific disease objectively exists----is that fraudulent? The problem is huge if you truely want to look at people with significant disease. Many are on SSI without verifiable disease and then there are many capable of working with minimal disease states. I've watched it for years and SSI is abused.

#62 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-22 03:39 PM | Reply | Flag:

#61 | Posted by john47 at 2013-02-22 03:28 PM | Reply |

John, I have to disagree with you----having been around the system for years and watching the abuse. How about the families in the appalachians where almost the whole family structure is on disability. I've talked to physicians doing the disability exams who find nothing significantly wrong with the claimant and write it up but then judges will perfunctorily after a few tries by the representative lawyers pass these folks on and award benefits. The disability system is a racket.

#63 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-22 03:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

Matsop, are you jealous because you are not getting disability benefits? If you really have a claim, there are people with a better grip on English who can help you with the application forms. If you really have a verifiable health problem, you will collect. Otherwise, no so much. I used to create adjudication files for SSI and Medicare. You're talking out of your ass.

#64 | Posted by john47 at 2013-02-22 03:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

On the other hand, where are the jobs? When do the wars end? [...].
#61 | Posted by john47

Ask the CIC..

#65 | Posted by phesterOBoyle at 2013-02-22 03:53 PM | Reply | Flag:

If you really have a verifiable health problem, you will collect.

#64 | Posted by john47 at 2013-02-22 03:49 PM | Reply |

John, a verifiable health problem doesn't make you disabled. Also, take the diagnosis of "fibromyalgia". It's not medically verifiable by any testing----all you need is some doc diagnosing it as such since he/she has no other answers and the person can collect. You may have filed adjudication files for SSI and medicare but you don't know squat about medicine. Also check out post #15 and another area of abuse----the legal system. You don't know what the heck you're talking about.

#66 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-22 03:56 PM | Reply | Flag:

Matsop, are you jealous because you are not getting disability benefits?

#64 | Posted by john47 at 2013-02-22 03:49 PM | Reply

No, I just don't like to see abuse in any system regardless of the players---and we have a lot of it everywhere today.

#67 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-22 03:59 PM | Reply | Flag:

John, just another piece of data to jog your sensibilities.

www.nytimes.com

#68 | Posted by matsop at 2013-02-22 04:34 PM | Reply | Flag:

Those Rascals!

#69 | Posted by cjk85 at 2013-02-22 06:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

Why does this particular story have libbies upset, but not SS disability fraud?"

#38 | Posted by danni at

easy enough answer ....cause liberals don't give a flip about corruption in a good solar company regardless of the cost to taxpayers but here there's some sort of problem

and attacks on TEXAS..

really???

#70 | Posted by afkabl2 at 2013-02-22 06:43 PM | Reply | Flag:

Only when there is full transparency of the system of government payouts, and of those on the take that are on both top and bottom echelons, and where the echelons are fully exposed, do we have any hope of tightening up the problems.

If your neighbor is receiving government handouts such a search will quickly provide such an answer. Anonymity is in place to protect the takers, not the givers and it needs modification.

#71 | Posted by Robson at 2013-02-22 07:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

I hear Mick Jagger has one!

#72 | Posted by DavetheWave at 2013-02-22 08:55 PM | Reply | Flag:

Give me a break. These people are motoring around on wheelchairs from The Scooter Store. They're fat, lazy turds. Their neighbors already know it, along with their family, acquaintances, and anyone who happens across their path. I don't need to go to the internet to figure out that much. You think that putting their names in some searchable database is going to keep them from trying to get more free stuff?

#73 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-22 09:05 PM | Reply | Flag:

John47

I, much like Matsop, do not mind funding disability. However it infuriates me that the abuse of disability is allowed. I have seen and heard of in my state of people that have gone on disability because they cannot find work. That is not what the program is meant to do, the huge number of fraudulant claims keeps taking away from those that truely need it. The sheister doctors, idiot judges, and cluless politicians just perpetualte the fraud, they don't care.

Much like the scooters, a bogus loophole that it does not take a rocket scinetist to recognize, the D.C. crowd just ignores the problem. I remember seeing the first commercials during the Bush administration and thinking that somebody should be looking at this. Nobody has. The abuse of disability is disgusting.

#74 | Posted by gtjr at 2013-02-22 09:19 PM | Reply | Flag:

May I refer you back to the original thread topic.

Feds Raid Power Wheelchair Company

#75 | Posted by memyselfini at 2013-02-23 01:07 AM | Reply | Flag:

love the hill country!

#76 | Posted by suzycreamcheese at 2013-02-23 02:09 PM | Reply | Flag:

#73 | Posted by uglyblinddate at 2013-02-22 09:05 PM

To answer your question....yes I do think transparency via a searchable database would help screen out the scofflaws. Those who are on take with our system of subsidies and various handouts....be it corporate welfare, unemployment comp, disability payments, expensive wheel chairs, VA disability, special farm payments, food stamps, etc thrive on anonymity. The taxpayers have every right to know who these people are that are getting taxpayer money. Publicity would deter many from participating especially if they were lying.

I'll cite one other frustrating example. We've had parents of children with special needs and so called learning disabilities suing the local school districts for settlements claiming that the special instructional curriculum is not adequate. The schools often settle with the parents for 5 and 6 digit settlements (i.e. 25K->100K) but the parents names are ALWAYS kept anonymous because of so-called Federal regulations pertaining to the children. Everything is sealed from taxpayers and the names are anonymous. If the financial trail of these settlements were made public, these lawsuits would be much less likely to occur and it would prevent crony corruption.

#77 | Posted by Robson at 2013-02-23 02:14 PM | Reply | Flag:

My dad had ALS and ended up in a top of the line powered wheelchair. So there is a need for these devices. I couldn't guess at the percentage of people who have one with a demonstrable need like my father compared to lazy fat asses but seeing as I have known only one person in my life who had real need but I see 3-4 in a day of shopping makes me suspect the numbers are pretty high.

I blame the scooter store and similar companies for pushing people to get them when no real need exist, I blame doctors for signing off when they no there is no real need. However the real blame is on the folks who demand their free ride.

My big one is disability, I had to stop going to forums on MS because of the sheer number of posters that were living on disability. A DX of MS is pretty much a free ticket to disability, and honestly it should be, but it is on the people to not take advantage of it. I still work 9 years after the DX some times I have to take vacation time to deal with a relapse and I had to switch professions so that I do not need to be on my feet all the time but that doesn't mean I couldn't work and earn my own way. When my situation changes so I need it I am glad it will be there for me but you better believe it will not be my choice to be on SSI.

#78 | Posted by TaoWarrior at 2013-02-23 02:36 PM | Reply | Flag:

When my situation changes so I need it I am glad it will be there for me but you better believe it will not be my choice to be on SSI.
#78 | Posted by TaoWarrior

You sir are in the minority and I take my hat off to you.

#79 | Posted by phesterOBoyle at 2013-02-23 02:42 PM | Reply | Flag:

They have terrible business model. A friend got one for his mom. For their place it was not functional. When they tried to return it, the scooter store put them thru he!l.

#80 | Posted by DavetheWave at 2013-02-23 02:48 PM | Reply | Flag:

Only 150 agents, did they think the factory workers and management were going to put up a fight? I guess when they spent all that money to militarize the national police force they planned on using it. This last summer the Coast Guard was stopping boats at the mouth of the harbor and giving impromptu safety inspections (looking for drinking). They had M16s and a 50 Cal. We're on an inland lake.

#81 | Posted by visitor_ at 2013-02-23 05:15 PM | Reply | Flag:

When my situation changes so I need it I am glad it will be there for me but you better believe it will not be my choice to be on SSI.

#78 | Posted by TaoWarrior

Tao....You are to be commended. Once upon a time we had a society that looked upon welfare and disability (corporate or otherwise) as something that was taken but only as a last resort. Using it represented sort of an embarrassment to both the corporate executive suite, and to family members.

Fast forward to 2013 and "welfare" aid is looked upon by both those at the top and bottom as something they are entitled to if they can beat the system. They consider themselves as "saps" if they don't take it. Attorneys advertise how they will get it for you. Politicians of both Parties are on the dole to enable it.

Society will always need a safety net for those with health problems and in dire trouble, but we need to change the incentives to one where those not on the dole are highly regarded and recognized for their perseverance, independence, and sacrifice. Only when we and media can have full transparency of corporations and individuals and be searchable by every way possible, would such disclosure be possible and this trend, and recognize and reward those with the fortitude to make a go of it themselves.

#82 | Posted by Robson at 2013-02-23 06:29 PM | Reply | Flag:

Money is there to be taken. Obamacare provides that in a royal flush opportunity.

This is a medicare scam. And it has been going on longer than Obama has been in Office. So, like the Bushphones that were the precursor to the Obamaphone, I blame Dubya.

btw. There sure were a lot of these machines at Tea party events. Not surprising, them baggers feeling so entitled and all.

#83 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-02-23 08:25 PM | Reply | Flag:

If the financial trail of these settlements were made public, these lawsuits would be much less likely to occur and it would prevent crony corruption.

#77 | Posted by Robson

I suppose if we just publicize the names of sexually abused kids, they'd learn to run faster.

#84 | Posted by northguy3 at 2013-02-23 08:27 PM | Reply | Flag:

When inventors make less money than welfare recipients (after Child extortion, taxes, fees, etc)...

Capitalism is broken

#85 | Posted by reitze at 2013-02-23 09:49 PM | Reply | Flag:

#82 | Posted by Robson at 2013-02-23 06:29 PM | Reply | Flag: Idealist

Since I doubt you'd read a 1000 page book I suggest you watch the movies, The Fountainhead, and then Atlas Shrugged - P1 & P2.

#86 | Posted by reitze at 2013-02-23 09:51 PM | Reply | Flag: