Simplify, Simplify, Simplify

My wife is mad. Angry, if you're not sure what I mean. Infuriated. So are some of her friends. As is often the case, the government is at fault – in this case the Social Security Administration.

By way of background, she works in a program to provide information to recipients, and prospective recipients, of Medicare – primarily the elderly. The majority are beyond retirement age and are collecting Social Security – though it is often inadequate to meet modest needs. Many of them are uncertain about the benefits available to them through Medicare – what they are and how to get them. And, for the most part, they're unsophisticated when it comes not only to the ins and outs of government regulations, but the tools necessary to learn about them are only available from the government that has formulated them and administers them. Recipients have barely enough income to get by, let alone to purchase all the innovations of modern technology. So many of them don't have the computers necessary to learn about the existing programs, and they have to rely on whatever information is sent them by “snail mail” (they know it as “mail”). And it's often the case that they don't read the mail – which is just as well since most of its contents are impenetrable to all but those trained in the law.

That's the background. The case at issue is a new program described in an e-mail message which we received recently – as, we assume, did most of the recipients of Social Security and Medicare who have computers. And of them, only some of those would understand its significance. For example, when I accessed the FAQ section of the site dealing with the new program I learned

Disclaimer

The Social Security Administration (SSA) website contains links to websites not affiliated with the United States government. These may include State and Local governmental agencies, international agencies, and private entities.

SSA cannot attest to the accuracy of information provided by such websites. If we provide a link to such a website, this does not constitute an endorsement by SSA or any of its employees of the information or products presented on the non-SSA website.

Also, such websites are not within our control and may not follow the same privacy, security or accessibility policies. Once you visit such a website, you are subject to the policies of that site.

I think that what it is saying is that the government has no responsibility for what it puts on line. Of course I could be wrong.

In any event, I should mention the program in question. Here's the crux

You can create a my Social Security account if you’re age 18 or older, have a Social Security number, a valid email, a U.S. mailing address, and a cell phone that can receive text messages. You’ll need to provide some personal information to confirm your identity; you’ll be asked to choose a username and password; and then provide your cell phone number. You’ll then receive a security code via text that you will be required to enter when you first create an account. We’ll send your cell phone a new security code each time you log in with your username and password. The security code is part of our enhanced security feature to protect your personal information. Keep in mind that your cell phone provider's text message and data rates may apply.

That's straightforward, isn't it? But perhaps you still use (forgive me) a land line (or you can't text – don't have the apparatus or lack the knowledge of how to do it, since I suspect that the majority of Social Security and Medicare recipients either don't text of have difficulty doing so)

If you do not have a cell phone, you will not be able to access your personal my Social Security account. To access your personal my Social Security account, you need a cell phone that can receive text messages. Each time you sign in, we send a text to your cell phone that contains a security code you will need to enter to access your account. Keep in mind that your cell phone provider's text message and data rates may apply. Please visit our website at socialsecurity.gov/agency/contact to learn other ways to contact us.

(This is only a small part of what's written, but I'd put you to sleep if I included all of it.) So there's no problem. You can always contact their web site and find out how to contact them. (That's what you learn when you click on their contact URL – not the answer to your question.) That's all clear, isn't it? And you can be sure you're getting the best service. After all, even if you can't understand it or use it, you're paying for it. And they're not shy about telling you so.

This website is produced and published at U.S. taxpayer expense.

What it boils down to is that the new program is being thrust on the group least likely to be able to understand or take advantage of it by regulators whose employment depends on creating such programs. And we're paying for it. That's what makes America great.

But I'm not angry about it. Long ago I stopped expecting intelligent actions by the government.