Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
GOP bill: No early release for fentanyl traffickers
Sen. Tom Cotton and Rep. Marsha Blackburn think some federal inmates deserve a chance at early release -- just not traffickers of fentanyl, which is fueling America's overdose crisis. Published September 20, 2018
Jerome Adams, surgeon general, calls for ‘cultural shift’ in talking about opioids
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome M. Adams called for a "cultural shift" in how Americans talk about opioid addiction, saying stigma is one of the leading reasons only one in four people with a problem get the treatment they need. Published September 20, 2018
Medicaid expansion on ballots across U.S. in midterm vote
Andrew Gillum, the Democratic gubernatorial candidate in Florida, says the state has left some 700,000 poor residents without health coverage by refusing to sign up for Obamacare's expansion of Medicaid. Published September 19, 2018
Bipartisan Senate group takes aim at ‘surprise’ medical bills
A bipartisan Senate group released draft legislation Tuesday to thwart "surprise" medical bills that shock patients who seek emergency care at the nearest facility or carefully select a hospital, only to confront an out-of-network doctor who bills them a ton. Published September 18, 2018
Donald Trump tasks HHS with ongoing review of biodefense
President Trump signed a memo Tuesday ordering the government to come up with better defenses against bio-attacks, saying the threat of a coordinated attack, the accidental release of lab pathogens or an outbreak of Ebola is "very real." Published September 18, 2018
FDA launches e-cig awareness campaign to combat surge in teen use
The Food and Drug Administration launched a nationwide campaign Tuesday to warn young people about the dangers of e-cigarettes, saying failure to act now could result in a new generation of smokers. Published September 18, 2018
Senate passes sweeping bill to battle opioid epidemic
A Senate riven by disputes on a Supreme Court pick set aside the sniping long enough Monday to approve legislation to combat the opioid epidemic by limiting the runaway flow of addictive pills, expanding treatment and giving inspectors new tools to root out deadly fentanyl in the mail stream. Published September 17, 2018
Pharmacy ‘gag clauses’ ban approved by Senate
The Senate voted Monday to ban "gag clauses" that prevent pharmacists from telling customers they can save money in some cases by paying cash for their prescriptions, instead of relying on their insurance and making the co-payment. Published September 17, 2018
Donald Trump throws support behind Sen. Susan Collins’ ban on pharmacy ‘gag clauses’
President Trump on Monday endorsed a Senate bill to ban "gag clauses" that prevent pharmacists from telling customers they can save money in some cases by paying cash for their prescriptions, instead of relying on their insurance and making the co-payment. Published September 17, 2018
Paul Manafort choice to cooperate with Mueller probe should make Trump nervous, say analysts
Former campaign chairman Paul Manafort's decision to cooperate with special counsel Robert Mueller's probe into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election is a "significant breakthrough" that should make President Trump nervous, key Democrats and legal analysts said Sunday. Published September 16, 2018
Christine Blasey Ford, Brett Kavanaugh accuser, details sexual assault allegation
A California professor revealed herself Sunday as the woman accusing Supreme Court nominee Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh of an attempted sexual assault during their high school days, prompting calls from Democrats to delay pivotal votes on the nomination but with no indication from top Republicans that they would do so. Published September 16, 2018
Adam Schiff, House Intelligence Committee: Trump team ‘terrified’ over what Manafort might say
The top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee said Sunday that President Trump's legal team hasn't completely ruled out a pardon for former campaign chairman Paul Manafort. Published September 16, 2018
Lindsey Graham: ‘Let’s let Mueller do his job’
Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said there's been no evidence of 2016 collusion between the Trump campaign but he's willing to wait for Special Counsel Robert Mueller to sift through the evidence and whatever former campaign chairman Paul Manafort has to say. Published September 16, 2018
Dianne Feinstein’s handling of Brett Kavanaugh accusation angers Sen. John Kennedy
Sen. John N. Kennedy of Louisiana on Sunday fumed over Sen. Dianne Feinstein's approach to 11th-hour allegations against Judge Brett Kavanaugh that date to his time in high school, saying the California Democrat had several weeks to raise the issue but said nothing. Published September 16, 2018
Brock Long, FEMA chief, avoids Trump Hurricane Maria death toll controversy
FEMA chief Brock Long on Sunday declined to criticize President Trump for claiming Puerto Rico's death toll from Hurricane Maria had been inflated to help Democrats in a midterm year. Published September 16, 2018
Dianne Feinstein announces Brett Kavanaugh opposition
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California announced plans Sunday to formally oppose Judge Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court, saying justices "should not be an extension of the Republican Party." Published September 16, 2018
Government survey finds progress in opioids fight
The number of people taking up heroin for the first time dropped by more than half in 2017 compared to the prior year, in a sign that prevention efforts may be taking hold, according to a government survey released Friday. Published September 14, 2018
House negotiators block push to disclose drug prices on TV; Senate sponsors fume
House Republicans on Thursday blocked a measure that would have forced drug companies to disclose their prices in TV ads, enraging sponsors who said President Trump, influential groups and senators in both parties supported their amendment to a major health-spending bill. Published September 13, 2018
Bernie Sanders, allies push to expand Social Security benefits
Sen. Bernard Sanders and progressive allies banded together Thursday to try and expand Social Security insurance, saying too many retirees can't get by on what it pays now and they must stave off any cuts Republicans demand in the wake of their deficit-ballooning tax bill. Published September 13, 2018
Arkansas boots 4,300 off Medicaid, citing noncompliance with work rules
Arkansas booted more than 4,300 residents from Medicaid coverage because they failed to report whether they complied with work and community engagement requirements the state implemented with President Trump's blessing. Published September 12, 2018
