Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
GOP health care plan would leave 23 million uninsured, erase more than $30B in taxpayer savings: CBO
The latest version of House Republicans' health care bill will lower the cost of insurance for many Americans compared with what they would pay under Obamacare, but would leave 23 million fewer people with health insurance a decade from now, the Congressional Budget Office said Wednesday. Published May 24, 2017
Trump admin. delays decision on Obamacare payments, causing uncertainty
The Trump administration told a federal appeals court Monday it needs more time to determine the fate of critical Obamacare payments, prolonging uncertainty in the marketplace even as insurers mull rate hikes or whether to quit the program altogether. Published May 22, 2017
Obamacare exchanges squeeze lawmakers for quick fix
With Obamacare still the law of the land, Republicans and Democrats are searching for quick fixes that will help Americans who live in parts of the country that insurers have forsaken, saying they just can't make money under the strictures of the 2010 health care law. Published May 21, 2017
Democrats pressure Trump family over health care
Six women from the House Democratic caucus on Thursday invited Ivanka Trump to a "constructive discussion" on women's health, as her father weighs pivotal moves on birth control and cheers on legislation that would defund Planned Parenthood. Published May 18, 2017
WHO: Up to 20 Ebola cases, and three deaths, reported in Congo
The World Health Organization said Thursday it is launching a "no regrets" response to an Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where the number of suspected cases has risen from nine to 20 in the past week. Published May 18, 2017
National Institutes of Health lobbies Congress to maintain funding
House lawmakers signaled Wednesday that President Trump's proposed budget cuts to the National Institutes of Health will never see the light of day, saying the loss of funds would derail life-saving work and induce budget-busting medical costs down the road. Published May 17, 2017
Donald Trump’s drama a Republican distraction
Republicans said they would prefer less drama from the White House but generally reserved judgment on reports of President Trump's sharing of potentially classified information. They said they weren't sure how to sort out accusations by anonymous sources in news articles. Published May 16, 2017
Trump administration encourages states to ask for Obamacare waivers
The Trump administration on Tuesday encouraged states to ask for Obamacare waivers to set up high-risk pools, creating a pathway for interested states to begin to adopt key parts of the GOP's repeal plans even before they pass a bill through Congress. Published May 16, 2017
GOP lawmakers hold fire against Trump — at least for now
Republicans said they'd prefer less "drama" coming from the White House, but generally reserved judgment on the latest reports on President Trump's sharing of potentially classified information, saying they weren't sure how to sort out accusations by anonymous sources in news articles. Published May 16, 2017
Senior House Democrat Steny Hoyer rips Trump, yet cautions against impeachment
House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer on Tuesday accused President Trump of eroding confidence in the U.S. government both at home and abroad but stopped well short of calling for impeachment. Published May 16, 2017
Trump cancels small-business enrollment on HealthCare.gov
Obamacare's small business outreach has been such a flop that the Trump administration announced Monday it was nixing part of the federal HealthCare.gov website aimed at helping those companies enroll in the health law. Published May 15, 2017
Koch-aligned group uses Obamacare rates to cheer repeal
A Koch brothers-aligned group launched an ad campaign Monday highlighting the potential for yet another round of rate hikes on the Obamacare exchanges next year, hoping to spur the GOP's effort to repeal the program. Published May 15, 2017
Diane Black, House budget chair, eyes more changes to Medicaid
House Budget Committee Chairman Diane Black on Monday called the House GOP health care bill a "good start" but said she wants to overhaul Medicaid, the government insurance program for the poor, even further in the Republican budget for the coming year. Published May 15, 2017
GOP health bill is bad idea, say Americans by a 2-to-1 margin: Poll
Americans are far more likely to view the House-passed health care bill as a bad idea than a good one, underscoring the political tightrope GOP lawmakers are walking as they try to replace Obamacare, according to a new poll. Published May 15, 2017
Democrats lack clear health care plan
For six years, Democrats taunted Republicans for holding dozens of votes to repeal Obamacare without rallying around a legislative alternative, while Republicans saw little need to craft and vote on a plan that President Obama would kill with his veto pen. Published May 14, 2017
WHO identifies Ebola outbreak in Democratic Republic of Congo
Ebola killed one person in the Democratic Republic of Congo and is suspected in two other deaths, the World Health Organization said Friday. Published May 12, 2017
Tom Price, HHS secretary, predicts Senate health vote by summer
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price said Friday he thinks the Senate will pass its Obamacare replacement bill this summer, even though leading Republicans have refused to commit themselves to a firm timeline, saying they'll get it done before the end of the year. Published May 12, 2017
Health insurers say rate hikes are likely under Trump coverage plans
Major health insurers in the Obamacare market say they may end up having to hike their prices unless they can get more certainty from the Trump administration about what the future will look like. Published May 10, 2017
Trump FDA pick Scott Gottlieb confirmed by Senate in 57-42 vote
The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Dr. Scott Gottlieb, President Trump's pick to oversee the Food and Drug Administration, as every voting Republican and a handful of supportive Democrats overpowered critics who said he wouldn't serve as an adequate check on drug companies in the midst of a national opioid crisis. Published May 9, 2017
Senate Democrats to GOP: Yank repeal effort, and we’ll talk health care
Senate Democrats on Tuesday renewed their offer to work with Republicans on health care so long as GOP leaders take repeal of Obamacare off the table -- something that's a primary goal for President Trump, who recently toasted the passage of a House replacement plan. Published May 9, 2017
