Did Tom Coburn Pull The Plug On Grandma’s Social Security?
October 8th, 2009, 5:44 PM EDT
Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma stood in the way of a bill that would have stopped seniors from getting reductions in Social Security payments next year.
Coburn stood in the way of unanimous consent to a House bill setting 2010 Medicare premiums at 2009 levels. As the National Journal reports (sub. req.), Coburn’s move means “seniors are facing uncertainty over Medicare costs next year” and that “would see a net reduction in their Social Security benefits.”
“The House bill, which passed 406-18 on Sept. 24, is needed to freeze monthly Part B insurance premiums, which pay for seniors’ physician visits, at $96.40 next year. Those premiums are usually deducted from Social Security checks.
“But because of deflation, there is no Social Security cost-of-living adjustment planned for 2010 — yet Medicare premiums are set to rise anyway to keep pace with the program’s overall costs. Thus, seniors would see a net reduction in their Social Security benefits without the fix.” –from the TPM link, above
Perhaps Coburn is hoping that Obama and the Dems will get the blame from seniors for this.
October 9th, 2009 at 3:50 pm