Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Federal judge blocks Trump’s birth control rules nationwide
A federal judge Monday temporarily blocked President Trump's push to exempt a range of companies and religious nonprofits from an Obama-era mandate to insure birth control or submit their objections in writing. Published January 14, 2019
House investigators launch probe of soaring drug prices
House Democrats launched a broad probe Monday into high prescription drug costs, saying the rapid rise in prices is "unsustainable" and soaking taxpayers and patients alike. Published January 14, 2019
Seven in 10 say health care system is in ‘crisis’ or has ‘major problems’: Poll
Seven in 10 Americans say the U.S. health care system is "in a state of crisis" or has "major problems," according to a Gallup poll that also finds partisanship has colored people's views of the system over the past decade. Published January 14, 2019
Trump rules letting employers opt out of birth control coverage blocked
Judge blocks Trump administration rules letting more employers opt out of birth control coverage. Published January 13, 2019
Air traffic controllers add to pile of shutdown lawsuits
Air traffic controllers Friday joined the ranks of federal employees suing over the government shutdown, after workers keeping vigil over their bank accounts didn't receive a cent on payday. Published January 11, 2019
Judge: Federal employees suing over government shutdown cannot remain anonymous
A judge has ordered five federal employees suing President Trump and agency leaders over the partial government shutdown to use their real names, instead of pseudonyms, as the case proceeds. Published January 11, 2019
CDC: 6-7 million have gotten flu this season; Tens of thousands hospitalized
An estimated 6 million to 7 million people in the U.S. have been sickened by flu this season, the government said Friday in its first-ever mid-season report on key statistics. Published January 11, 2019
‘Essential’ workers expect to miss paychecks, sue for damages
The largest federal employee union on Thursday accused the government of violating labor law by failing to process paychecks for 420,000 "essential" workers who are toiling amid the partial government shutdown. Published January 10, 2019
Kyrsten Sinema, Republicans move to repeal Obamacare tax on insurers
Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, a freshman Democrat, and two Republicans filed a bill Thursday that would repeal Obamacare's tax on health insurers, saying the levy increases premiums and should be scrapped permanently. Published January 10, 2019
Bernie Sanders: U.S. consumers must pay fairer prices for drugs
Liberal lawmakers released a package of bills Thursday designed to test Washington's appetite for novel ways to control runaway drug costs, saying U.S. consumers are getting stiffed by prices that are far higher than what other countries pay. Published January 10, 2019
House votes to intervene in Obamacare lawsuit
The House voted along party lines Wednesday to intervene in an lawsuit that threatens to kill off Obamacare, as Democrats tried to paint the GOP into a corner over its professed support for shielding people with preexisting conditions. Published January 9, 2019
Chuck Grassley to scrutinize health mergers, will protect farmers and GOP tax bill
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles E. Grassley said Wednesday he will oppose any attempts by Democrats to roll back the GOP's 2017 tax reforms and scrutinize whether blockbuster health care mergers are harming consumers. Published January 9, 2019
Gavin Newsom, Bill de Blasio push for health care for illegal immigrants in California, New York
Health care proposals in California, New York City reopen the thorny debate over providing taxpayer-funded benefits to people living in the U.S. illegally, an idea that flies in the face of President Trump's fight against illegal immigration and places that offer them sanctuary. Published January 8, 2019
Bill de Blasio unveils plan for universal health care
In a surprise announcement, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said Tuesday the city will launch a program that offers health services to people who've been shut out of insurance options or affordable care, including illegal immigrants. Published January 8, 2019
John Yarmuth asks CBO for to-do list on ‘Medicare for all’
House Budget Committee Chairman John Yarmuth asked congressional scorekeepers Tuesday to outline for Democrats the logistical and financial trade-offs they must consider as they craft bills to provide "Medicare for all." Published January 8, 2019
Federal employees to seek damages if government doesn’t issue their paychecks on Friday, lawyer says
Federal employees forced to work without pay during the partial shutdown will seek damages if the government fails to send them their paychecks Friday, according to a lawyer who won a similar lawsuit during the last major shutdown. Published January 7, 2019
House Democrats to examine idea of government-run health care system
House Democrats say they will study the promise or pitfalls of a government-run health system out of the gate, setting the stage for hearings on the marquee idea championed by Sen. Bernard Sanders and outspoken freshmen as the left flexes its new clout. Published January 6, 2019
Medicaid chief leaves position after three months, joins DeSantis in Florida
The federal government's Medicaid chief is leaving the Trump administration after three months on the job to work for Florida Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis instead, officials announced Friday. Published January 4, 2019
New senators take oath of office, expand GOP majority
Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California, a veteran Democrat who was sworn in to her sixth term Thursday, stopped in her tracks when she spotted freshman Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee Republican, in the Capitol basement. Published January 3, 2019
Blue states file notice they will appeal anti-Obamacare ruling
A blue-state coalition notified a federal court Thursday it will appeal the bombshell ruling that found Congress' decision to tweak Obamacare in its tax bill made the rest of the program unconstitutional. Published January 3, 2019
