What Government Waste?
By laglen
@laglen (19759)
United States
January 13, 2011 10:27am CST
Unbelievable -
The program, the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act [FECA], which the government launched in 1916, is supposed to cover lost wages for federal employees who suffer on-the-job injuries
Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/01/12/federal-gravy-train-end/#ixzz1AvuuoGD0
Sounds good right?
BUT and there is always a but, the program has been abused over 100 years. There are people in their 90s and even over 100 that are still collecting "workmans comp" from this program. No following the case by a doctor. People just keep reapplying and keep getting benefits. Holy crap! If you have worked for a private company and been hurt on the job. Dealing with workmens comp in the private sector is atrocious. I have never filed a claim but I worked for a temp agency as a recruiter and saw what people went through to prove they were truly injured. Is there still fraud? You bet. We had somebody go out to a job for one day, thats ONE day and come back with carpel tunnel. That was crazy.
What do you think of the people collecting from FECA after 40 years? 50 years?
I am disappointed and offended that yet more people want to suck on the tax payers teet......
What is your opinion?
4 responses
@epicure35 (2814)
• United States
13 Jan 11
"Holy C--p" you rightfully say. It's amazing how close the letters FECA come to a reference word to excrement; just add one letter. Yes it' disgusting.
I was injured on the job in a witnessed attack by a student, yet Worker's Comp denied me disability, even treatment, among other things. Atrocious almost seems a euphemism. I was one of the "lucky" ones who didn't lose an arm or other horror, but I was treated like a criminal and lost my job.
@epicure35 (2814)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Those who "govern" should be able to legislate and enforce proper laws to the benefit of all concerned. Since they are subject to greed and corruption and bought by lobbyists, that does not happen.
1 person likes this
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
14 Jan 11
As a retired Federal Civil Servant, I can tell you the system is riddled with waste, fraud and abuse... And having worked my a** off for over 30 years in the Department of Defense, like most others in Civil Service (note: I didn't say some or many), how do you think that makes us feel? Now we're ALL overpaid scam artists! The FECA system DOES need to be audited and revamped. There are abuses of this and many other systems, programs, etc. in federal, state and local governments, and NO, I don't agree with many of the federal (and other) civil servant unions' (of which I was not a member because I was part of management) defense statements of the status quo. I applaude Snow's efforts and hope to see many more...but I'm also hoping they're not going to throw the baby out with the bath water. (I'm getting a little tired of being the latest whipping boy... I feel right up there with the Wallstreet tycoons, except a few millions of dollars poorer.)
1 person likes this
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
14 Jan 11
Unfortunately, as a middle manager/manager at an installation away from Washington/headquarters you have little control of the situation. The laws/policies/regulations are dreamed up in Washington with little input from the field. When you do get a chance to input, it's way too often ignored. So to stop/control fraud/waste/abuse, I say start at the top and then work your way down. By the time you get to the bottom, you're not going to find a lot there/left.
1 person likes this
@mensab (4200)
• Philippines
13 Jan 11
any program that contains huge fund is subject to abuse by unscrupulous individuals who think that they can get away with their acts. abuses are oftentimes overlooked by those who are supposed to guard the system. others benefit from the abuses of others, and they turn blind eye to the undeserved gains of others through the program. i hope the government is able to halt this abuse of a good program to serve the injured workers.
1 person likes this
@rosegardens (3032)
• United States
13 Jan 11
Wow. I just read the article, and I am shocked that an investigation began over six years ago and still nothing has happened to put this situation under control. It certainly would help the finances of the country if the people who are of retirement age are retired instead of getting the FECA benefits.
They should be required to go through the same hoops that someone in the private sector has to go through in order to prove they need the benefits.
On the same note, I wonder how much federal tax money is going toward retired elected officials, and how many of those have another source of income.
The whole federal benefits package needs to be scrutinized and revamped to meet the needs of the country and to better represent the majority of Americans in the private sector.
1 person likes this
