The first faulty item that jumped out at me is the claim that many of these folks are on SSDI (Soc Security Disabiltiy Ins). The article seems to imply their "disabilities" are choice matters but to qualify for SSDI (I used to do testimony for the SS hearings on this) you need to demonstrate there are no jobs in the regional economy you can do. Judges are generally conservative and you need to be in pretty bad shape to qualify. While much of disability is also psychological this article suggests malingering. You don't get SSDI on back pain, or heart trouble along, not even the diagnosis. They do have trial work periods. It is correct that the longer you are out of work the less likely you will return. Not just on disabilitiy. the sourcing of this is poor and not well understood.