Gingrich Makes Negative Comments About Injured Workers in the Current Workers' Compensation System

Workers' Compensation programs and the Social Security Disability benefits may be prime targets for review if Republicans are successful in defeating President Obama in the next election. Fox News reported that on January 3, 2012, Newt Gingrich called for the redesign of both disability and worker's compensation insurance to focus on abilities and rehabilitation, suggesting the current system is "very dangerous" because it subsidizes people who "do nothing."

Responding to a question about how the federal government could control the cost of Social Security disability while at the same time effectively deliver services to people who need them, Gingrich said reform must be aimed at not just targeting the programs, but approaching differently the recipients who use them.

"We really start by saying what are your capabilities, not what are your disabilities," Gingrich said. "I mean you talk to wounded warriors who come back home who are now running marathons, who are now skiing, who are now doing an amazing range of things. And you are now seeing people who want to pursue happiness. They do not want to live in dependency."

Gingrich said the programs need to focus on retraining and asking what "investments" are needed to live a full life.

"We have to be very clear. This is not a society that subsidizes people who do nothing. It's very dangerous to this culture," he said to applause.

Gingrich added that the "pursuit of happiness" endowed by "our Creator" as described in the Declaration of Independence requires active pursuit, not handouts.