(not satire – it’s the UK today!)
UPDATE: There will be a day of action across the UK against Maximus on the 2nd of March – more details here: Your all-in-one guide to the Maximus Day of Action
The coalition government has chosen a VERY controversial US private company to run its new health assessment service to be called the Health and Work Service.
In march, a US firm called Maximus will take over from discredited French firm ATOS to carry out fitness-to-work assessments for disabled and sick benefits recipients.
And from this month any employee who is sick enough to have to claim sick leave from work for more than 4 weeks will be assessed – mostly by phone – by employees of MAXIMUS.
Apart from the ludicrous assumption that sick people can be assessed over the telephone, for some reason, when the UK government decided to hand the lucrative contract to run the service over to MAXIMUS, they also decided to ignore the numerous scandals that have embroiled the company in the US.
Here are just a few examples:
Lawmakers lash out at Maximus for questionable expenses payments
Medical workers allowed to keep practising despite failing drug, alcohol tests
Managers File Race Discrimination Complaints Against Maximus Inc
Federal Agency Finds Workfare Contractor Violated Wage Law
Maximus Pay $50,000 for Disability Discrimination Lawsuit
Maximus Settles Fraud Case for $30.5 Million
Consultant’s advice could cost state tens of millions
Maximus settles Medicaid complaint
$2.5 Million Settlement Of Contract Dispute Over Computer System Update
Auditors: State owes $22.8 million for improper Medicaid billings
MAXIMUS also likes to give a LOT of money to right-wing politicians in the US – especially ones who are keen to hand over massive state or federal contracts to it.
Why is it that politicians in the UK always seem to LOVE copying all the worst aspects of US politics?
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Thanks to DPAC and specifically Anita Bellows and George Berger for the heads up on this.
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Pride's Purge 
you sais Why is it that politicians in the UK always seem to LOVE copying all the worst aspects of US politics because of greed they take take take they dont like being broke but untill the population wakes up to the fact they been sold down the river by this lot then nothings going to change going yanky it seems in fashion yuk
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I suppose it will stop something.
One that I will sorely miss.
Like I heard of someone dragging the idiot from ATOS across the desk and asking him how soon he will be fit for work when his neck gets broken.
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Reblogged this on nearlydead.
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Now the working populous that lauded the attack on “skivers”, the sick (some terminally ill), the disabled, & jobless are going to have a taste of this truly-evil government and it’s THEIR TURN to be attacked!
Never forget the Tories went to the USA to learn all about their welfare “reforms” & Osbourne even quipped “The NHS is the worst mistake that Britain ever made.
I won’t have sympathy for those that will be affected by this, as they never had any sympathies for the formerly affected.
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Yet another reason for a citizens income. Any idea how much this contract is worth to Maximus. I can’t find any figures anywhere.
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Reblogged this on gingerblokeblog.
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Reblogged this on HAPLOGROUP – bit that makes us human..
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what if there illnesses involves not being able to use a phone.
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Reblogged this on chunkyfunkymunky.
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Reblogged this on Same Difference.
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“will be assessed – mostly by phone” – not in my case. I’ve got aphasia (consequence of stroke) so I can’t use the phone. What about folk who don’t have a phone – there are still quite a few?
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Reblogged this on sdbast.
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ot
what about this… https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=809373119084781
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This is precisely why TTIP plus ISDS threatens health and Social Care. Imagine the consequences when US companies “provide” domiciliary care in rural areas and the Gov (bless its cotton sox) either ups the minimum wage or decrees that visits must last at least 15 mins so that they (i.e. taxpayers) can be sued for loss of profits!
That is why I pray the Scots choose Independence – they may open a can of worms, but that will provide an opportunity to refine the mess generated in the last 4 years.
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And the anti disabled sick and unemployed steps up a gear when maximus maximises its profit making who is the group which will suffer.
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Reblogged this on Benefit tales.
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Are they trying to provoke a civil war in this country…?
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This government hates the disabled.
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Perhaps doctors should tell their secretaries to phone the employers of the patients that have been given sick notes, instead of an ill patient.
They all get paid enough!
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I can see Maximus contracting out part of the assessment process for this neu-bunkum system. Many GP practices have set up their own private Occupational Health companies, offering to assess employees for employers. There will already be conflict of interest issues here for those going through the WCA after redundancy or getting the sack on ill health grounds where OH doctors have been involved in the assessments that lost an individual their job. If these same moonlighting GPs can grab a slice of the pie from Maximus, then in this climate, where GPs are busy feathering their own nests before the NHS is killed off, then I’m sure they will.
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atos does this already get you the sack through ill health then finds you fit to work another corrupt company folowing on this path sadly jeff3
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I was still in hospital after 4 weeks! Would they have phones me there?
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my wife got a two year no assessment period off atos and it dont run out till sept 2015
but no doubt maximus in its keeness will drag her in well before that
the fact as i see it ?
well this national socialistic govt in the uk with its austerity etc (not on pay rises for them
and perks)finds it easier via national insurance numbers to kick the crap out of the sick and unemployed because they are easier to find than trying to stop migrants who in my mind have caused a calamity for our benefits system.
why are we not like the french? they would have burnt effigys of cameron by now
and thrown him into the seinne with all his govt
come back mrs thatcher all is forgiven and take you son back to hell with you
if hitler ever had a son he would have been proud if it were cameron
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No, like the DWP they would phone you at home, and as you are not there, they would immediately sanction you for not being there to receive their call!
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Reblogged this on anemone of promise.
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they been paid £500,000,000 apparently
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Because these mps have fingers in these pies two faced criminsls who walk about in suits isnt it strange not long ago having monies from these companies was called a bribe now it happens daily by this lot
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