A leaked email from an ATOS employee, describing the last Plantagenet king as a “lazy bastard” and “just pretending to be dead” has been strenuously defended by the French IT firm. http://beezlystreet.com/2015/03/22/atos-declare-richard-iii-fit-for-work/
I heard they're also reviewing the Queen Mother's case, whose gin drinking habit is not a "sufficiently serious disability"
OK I'll try to explain. There's no reason why as an American you would know about this. Previously (prior to 2010) if you were declared to be unfit for work by a doctor, you could claim state benefit money. You can still claim it, but now you have to be looked into by a private healthcare company, ATOS healthcare, who prepare a report, and based on that the people at the benefit agency decide if you are fit or not. Many people suffering from serious conditions have been forced off benefit. One man had even died between the time of the test and the decision to declare him fit was sent out. Some people with mental health issues have committed suicide as a result. There is a process of appeal, and up to 40% of decisions against claimants are overturned at this stage. The effect of having to go through this process, and the fact that there can be a 6 month wait for the appeal hearing puts further pressure on people who may already be quite desperate. Generally, the tests are held to be unfair, and regarded as a weapon in the hands of a right wing government in their war on the poor.
ATOS = A Terrible Officious System Those who can work the paperwork can Those who can't - suffer Fairness and provision of service is out of the window when a system meant to help those of real need is superseded by cutting costs - and lives becoming thought of as 'acceptable loss' - methinks
