To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate reconsideration as an intervening step between initial benefit entitlement decisions and subsequent hearings on the record on such decisions.

September 24, 2003

Mr. GOODE introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

To amend title II of the Social Security Act to eliminate reconsideration as an intervening step between initial benefit entitlement decisions and subsequent hearings on the record on such decisions.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as `Social Security Disability Determination Simplification Act of 2003'.

SEC. 2. ELIMINATION OF RECONSIDERATION IN THE REVIEW PROCESS GOVERNING DECISIONS ON BENEFIT ENTITLEMENT.

(a) IN GENERAL- Section 205(b)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 405(b)(1)) is amended by adding at the end the following new sentence: `Opportunity for a hearing under this title in accordance with this subsection with respect to any initial decision or determination under this title shall be available without any requirement for intervening reconsideration.'.

(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- Section 205(b) of such Act is amended--

(1) by striking paragraph (2); and

(2) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).

(c) EFFECTIVE DATE- The amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to initial decisions and determinations (subject to opportunity for a hearing to the extent provided under section 205(b) of the Social Security Act) issued after 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act.

END