Tucson Social Security Disability Blog

Congress Provides New Relief For ALS Patients

Posted by

Of all the devastating diseases, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, is among the worst. This pernicious condition destroys the body’s motor neurons. The result is that patients lose control of their muscles. It eventually affects the whole body, including the ability to breathe. Most people with ALS will die within two to five years. Sadly, at present, there is no cure.

Approval For Social Security Benefits Not The End Of The Battle

ALS is one of the few automatics for Social Security disability. That means, if you are unfortunate enough to get this diagnosis, Social Security will approve you immediately.  But, getting approved is only part of the battle. For people faced with a rapidly progressing and terminal disease, the delays in getting Medicare and other benefits can be overwhelming.

Rage, Rage Against The Dying Of The Light

Two Harmful Delays Eliminated

new law eliminates both the five-month waiting period for benefits and the two-year delay in getting Medicare coverage. The latter change is likely the more important.  Many ALS sufferers have poor or even no health insurance when doctors give them the fatal news. Waiting two years to get health insurance that will help ALS patients get the treatment they need makes no sense.  Many of these poor souls would die before getting their Medicare card.

Always Do The Right Thing

Don’t Stop Now, Congress

There is talk of Congress applying these changes to other terminal conditions.  It is fair to have this apply equally to all Americans facing an end-of-life illness. Let’s hope that Congress does the right thing in this regard.

Hearing scheduled? Call Today.

If Social Security has scheduled your disability case to be heard by one of their judges, call me immediately. Unlike many large law firms, I can move quickly to get your case ready to be won.

Recent Posts


About The Author

Since 1992, I have been helping the people of Southern Arizona get the benefits they are due. Before devoting all my efforts to assisting people with Social Security disability claims, I also handled such complex lawsuits as medical malpractice and products liability. I brought to my Social Security cases all the skills and attention to detail that I developed in the courtroom. I approach each Social Security disability case as if it were a million-dollar lawsuit. For the people trying to get Social Security benefits, their claim is every bit as important. Because I have personally handled so many Social Security cases, I have refined the skills I need to win your case for you. I have helped people win cases for every kind of ailment from arthritis to valley fever. At present, I am focused on helping those persons with neurological and orthopedic disorders. Because claims for people over age fifty bring additional complications, I particularly seek out those cases to work on. I regularly write about back and spine conditions on my blog. I actively seek out the latest information about orthopedic and neurological disorders to ensure I can represent my clients as effectively as possible. Because of my current focus, I regret that I am not able to take any cases for mental disorders. If you are over age fifty and suffer from any orthopedic or neurological disorder, please contact me at once.