Social Security Commissioner Astrue Honored by
Alzheimer’s Association
Humanitarian award recognizes his adding early-onset
AD, other dementias to to SSA’s Compassionate Allowances Initiative
Michael J. Astrue was sworn in as
Commissioner of Social Security on Feb. 12, 2007 for a six-year
term. is an honors graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law
School. Early in his career, he worked for Senator Richard
Schweiker of Pennsylvania and evaluated federal demonstration
projects for the National Council of Senior Citizens. He is from
Massachusetts and has two adult children. More.
March 15, 2010 - Social Security Administration
commissioner Michael Astrue received the Alzheimer's Association's 2010
Humanitarian Award in recognition of his “exceptional leadership” in
creating the Compassionate Allowances Initiative and the decision to
include early-onset Alzheimer's disease and other dementias in that
initiative.
The association says the award is given each year
to a public official who has made a significant contribution to help
those who are struggling with Alzheimer's disease.
Access
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program laws and regulations for Social Security; will publish its Open Government Plan in
April
The old twister joins Social Security in announcing
new “twist” in law making it easier to qualify for Extra Help with
Medicare prescription drug plan costs
"Commissioner Astrue has worked tirelessly to
ensure that disabled Americans receive the Social Security disability
benefits they've earned in a timely way. I congratulate Mike for
receiving this honor, and I know he joins me in admiration for the
tremendous work that the Alzheimer's Association does every day," said
President Obama. The announcement was made March 8.
Harry Johns, president and CEO of the Alzheimer's
Association, thanked President Obama for his comments about the
Alzheimer's Association and echoed the president's praise for
Commissioner Astrue: "Social Security benefits are crucial to
individuals under age 65 with Alzheimer's disease because they lose
their jobs, income and health coverage at the very same time they face
the biggest challenge of their lives: the reality of living with
Alzheimer's.
“On behalf of all the individuals who now won't
have to go through a long decision process and multiple lengthy appeals
to obtain their benefits, the Alzheimer's Association is proud to honor
Commissioner Astrue for establishing this initiative which helps to ease
the burden of so many families."
“Under Astrue's leadership, the Social Security
Administration has committed to "fast-tracking" certain conditions to
reduce the backlog of disability claims and streamline the application
process. The commissioner's insight and understanding that the diagnosis
of Alzheimer's indicates significant cognitive impairment that
interferes with daily living activities, including the ability to work,
will now ensure early-onset families won't have to endure the financial
and emotional toll of a long decision process.
“The Alzheimer's Association urges all individuals
affected by Alzheimer's to use their VOICE to educate the public about
their experience. The Association is grateful for Commissioner Astrue's
willingness to listen and to provide a platform for these individuals to
share.
“During the public hearing on this issue,
Commissioner Astrue and his colleagues heard from those living with
Alzheimer's and Alzheimer researchers about the terminal nature of the
disease, the disabilities that often prohibit work in even the earliest
stages of the disease, and the lack of effective treatments that modify
or halt disease progression. Another 600 advocates submitted written
testimony about their experience trying to obtain disability benefits.”
Commissioner Astrue will receive his Humanitarian
Award during the Alzheimer's Association's 22nd Annual Advocacy Forum,
the Alzheimer's Association's main advocacy event that brings together
advocates from across the country in three momentous days of action in
the fight against Alzheimer's.
Past recipients of the Alzheimer's Association's
Humanitarian Award include President Ronald Reagan; Sens. Arlen Specter,
Tom Harkin, Mark Hatfield, Barbara Mikulski, Jay Rockefeller, Charles
Grassley and Blanche Lincoln; Reps. Steny Hoyer and Edward Markey; and
Josefina Carbonell, Health and Human Services assistant secretary for
aging.
The Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization
in Alzheimer care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate
Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and
enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of
dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world
without Alzheimer's. For more information, visit
www.alz.org.
