Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
WHO: DRC Ebola outbreak is at ‘key juncture’
Disease-trackers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are doing a better job tracking people at risk of Ebola infection, vaccinating those contacts and giving people therapeutic drugs if they catch the virus, though the outbreak remains at a "key juncture" and "must be interpreted with caution," the World Health Organization said Friday. Published August 31, 2018
Paul Ryan: John McCain one of America’s ‘bravest souls’
House Speaker Paul D. Ryan said Friday the late Sen. John McCain will be remembered as a true political warrior and one of the "bravest souls our nation has ever produced." Published August 31, 2018
Mike Pence: John McCain fought for what he believed in
Vice President Mike Pence told mourners at a ceremony for Sen. John McCain that President Trump, who frequently sparred with the Arizonan, genuinely respects the late senator's service to the country. Published August 31, 2018
Mitch McConnell: John McCain was either ‘your staunchest ally’ or ‘most stubborn opponent’
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell lauded the late Sen. John McCain as a cocky aviator, noble statesman and paragon of patriotism "all rolled into one." Published August 31, 2018
White House releases video to help first responders handle fentanyl
The White House released a training video Thursday to help first responders seize fentanyl without accidentally overdosing, as police, firefighters and EMS workers face increasing risks on the job due to the sweeping opioid crisis. Published August 30, 2018
Democrat AGs: Obamacare mandate still exists, even at $0
Congress may have cut the Obamacare penalty to zero, but that doesn't mean the individual mandate requiring Americans to have insurance is actually gone, Democratic state officials explained Thursday. Published August 30, 2018
Trump doles out $91M for drug-free community program, a ‘proven success’
President Trump announced Wednesday the White House will dole out a record $91 million to support 730 "drug-free communities" across the country, saying the 20-year-old grant program is a proven success in fighting addiction. Published August 29, 2018
Tammy Baldwin seeks to kill Donald Trump’s Obamacare off-ramp
A Wisconsin senator announced a long-shot resolution Wednesday to kill President Trump's main off-ramp for customers unhappy with Obamacare, hoping to force Congress to vote to overturn his plan to allow people to buy cheaper, skimpier insurance. Published August 29, 2018
Lawmakers spar over how to deal with algae blooms
This summer's health threat scaring lawmakers on Capitol Hill is algae, which has caused a literal stink along the Gulf of Mexico coast, chased fishers away from the Great Lakes, and left Alaskan tribes wondering if their shellfish is poisoned with toxins. Published August 28, 2018
Joe Manchin: GOP running scared from opponent’s Obamacare lawsuit
Sen. Joe Manchin III of West Virginia on Monday said Senate Republicans filed legislation to shield Obamacare's protections from a pending court challenge because they are terrified the lawsuit filed by his November opponent will result in "tragic consequences." Published August 27, 2018
Tom Frieden, former CDC director, arrested, accused of forcibly touching woman
Dr. Tom Frieden, the former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was arrested Friday on charges he inappropriately touched a woman in New York City, police said. Published August 24, 2018
Senate GOP files bill to shield Americans with pre-existing conditions
Skittish over the chance that a Texas lawsuit will gut Obamacare, a group of Senate Republicans are pushing legislation that would permanently enshrine the law's protections for Americans with preexisting conditions. Published August 24, 2018
Trump admin. should upgrade its Obamacare outreach: GAO
The Trump administration undercut Obamacare by failing to set enrollment targets and stopping ads to remind customers to sign up, the government's chief watchdog said Thursday in a report saying that more damage is looming unless the administration changes course. Published August 23, 2018
Robert R. Redfield: CDC committed to fighting Ebola across globe
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is half a world away, but stopping the Ebola outbreak that's claimed nearly 60 people in the African nation is still an integral part of President Trump's goal of "putting America first," the nation's top disease fighter said Wednesday. Published August 22, 2018
Seema Verma, Obamacare administrator, promises coverage despite lawsuit
The Trump administration official who oversees Obamacare pledged Tuesday to shield sick Americans if a pending lawsuit manages to ax popular protections in the 2010 law, as red-state Democrats prodded the administration to explain whether it had a Plan B for nervous constituents back home. Published August 21, 2018
CMS chief: Sicker Americans deserve protection if Obamacare struck down
Seema Verma, who oversees Obamacare and public insurance programs, said Tuesday she will work with Congress to shield people with preexisting conditions if a pending lawsuit is successful in striking down 2010 provisions that require insurers to cover sicker Americans. Published August 21, 2018
Donald Trump to Senate: Hurry up on synthetic opioids bill
President Trump demanded Monday that the Senate quickly take up and pass a bill to make it harder for overseas traffickers to slip synthetic opioids into the U.S. mail stream. Published August 20, 2018
Contact lens safety tips widely ignored, CDC warns
A 57-year-old went to the ER with lousy vision and pain in his eye, but the culprit wasn't hard to find: He'd been wearing the same contact lenses for two weeks and slept in them regularly. Published August 16, 2018
FDA approves first generic version of lifesaving EpiPen
The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the first generic competitor to Mylan's EpiPen, offering allergy sufferers the possibility of a lower-cost option than the brand name drug that drew scrutiny after price hikes. Published August 16, 2018
Donald Trump floats idea of federal opioids lawsuit
President Trump on Thursday hinted he wants the Justice Department to file its own lawsuit against certain opioid companies, instead of just cheering on efforts by the states. Published August 16, 2018
