Obama says Social Security recipients need protection from rising health costs

October 15th, 2009 Social Security makes it official: No COLA in 2010WASHINGTON — There will be no cost-of-living increase for more than 50 million Social Security recipients next year, the first year without a raise since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975. Blame falling consumer prices.

October 15th, 2009 Social Security to make it official: No COLAWASHINGTON — The Social Security Administration makes it official Thursday: There will be no cost of living increase for Social Security recipients next year, the first year without one since automatic adjustments were adopted in 1975. The announcement comes as President Barack Obama and key members of Congress call for a second round of $250 payments to more than 50 million seniors, veterans, retired railroad workers and people with disabilities.

October 14th, 2009 Obama calls for $250 payments to seniorsWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama called on Congress Wednesday to approve $250 payments to more than 50 million seniors to make up for no increase in Social Security next year. The Social Security Administration is scheduled to announce Thursday that there will be no cost of living increase next year.

September 23rd, 2009 House to vote to eliminate Medicare premium hikesWASHINGTON — With no Social Security cost-of-living increase expected in January, House Democrats want to cancel all of next year's premium increases for Medicare Part B recipients. Most seniors won't face a premium increase anyway, but Democrats want to shield the few who would.

August 26th, 2009 3,900 stimulus checks went to prison inmatesWASHINGTON — The federal government sent about 3,900 economic stimulus payments of $250 each this spring to people who were in no position to use the money to help stimulate the economy: prison inmates. The checks were part of the massive economic recovery package approved by Congress and President Barack Obama in February.

August 23rd, 2009 Millions face shrinking Social Security paymentsWASHINGTON — Millions of older people face shrinking Social Security checks next year, the first time in a generation that payments would not rise. The trustees who oversee Social Security are projecting there won't be a cost of living adjustment (COLA) for the next two years.

August 12th, 2009 Feds to pay $500 million in Social Security suitOAKLAND — A federal judge has tentatively approved a settlement requiring the government to pay more than $500 million to tens of thousands of people wrongly barred from receiving Social Security payments. The Social Security Administration over the past several years withheld benefit checks from recipients found to have outstanding arrest warrants Agency officials say they were complying with a 1996 law requiring them to stop payments to recipients "fleeing to avoid prosecution" of a felony.

August 12th, 2009 Judge OKs tentative deal in Social Security suitOAKLAND, Calif. — The Social Security Administration stopped sending Rosa Martinez her $870 monthly disability check last year because it said Miami police had issued a warrant for her arrest on drug charges.

July 16th, 2009 Obama says without action, health costs will riseHOLMDEL, N.J. — President Barack Obama returned to campaign-style rhetoric on Thursday, telling a political rally that inaction is not an option and urging allies to push for his overhaul of the nation's health care system.

July 16th, 2009 Obama says health costs will rise without actionHOLMDEL, N.J. — President Barack Obama says he wants a health care overhaul this year and that costs will continue to rise without action.

June 14th, 2009 Sebelius says Obama plan would lower health costsWASHINGTON — Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says the government health insurance plan proposed by the Obama administration would increase competition and drive down costs. Sebelius says President Barack Obama does not want to dismantle privately owned plans and does not want the 180 million people who have employer coverage to lose their insurance.

May 14th, 2009 Obama: Entitlement changes key to budget healthRIO RANCHO, N.M. — President Barack Obama says he likes the idea of increasing income limits for those receiving Social Security disability payments, but also says it costs money.

May 13th, 2009 Social Security, Medicare dwindling in recessionWASHINGTON — Social Security and Medicare are fading even faster under the weight of the recession, heading for insolvency years sooner than previously expected, the government warned Tuesday. Medicare already is paying out more money than it receives, something that happened for the first time last year.

May 12th, 2009 Annual report due for Social Security and MedicareWASHINGTON — The financial health of the government's two biggest benefit programs may have slipped over the past year, reflecting the deep recession that has already bitten into other areas of the budget. The trustees for Social Security and Medicare are scheduled to provide their annual report on the finances of both programs on Tuesday.

May 12th, 2009 Annual checkup for Social Security and MedicareWASHINGTON — The financial health of the government's two biggest benefit programs may have slipped over the past year, reflecting the deep recession that has already bitten into other areas of the budget. The trustees for Social Security and Medicare are scheduled to provide their annual report on the finances of both programs on Tuesday.