Source: Karen Tumulty, Washington Post ( Free Registration )

“Obama phone” is the widely used — and misleading — nickname of a 28-year-old federal program known as Lifeline. It provides discounts, averaging $9.25 a month, on phone service for 13.3 million low-income subscribers.  There are growing calls in Congress to end or drastically cut back Lifeline; later this month, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will hold a hearing that could help determine its fate.

The more substantive problem that has plagued Lifeline has little to do with either side’s political philosophy. When it was expanded to cover cellphone service in 2008, regulators included few safeguards against fraud.

Read Full Article: ‘Obama phones’ subsidy program draws new scrutiny