Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
N.Y. takes steps to rescue Obamacare co-op customers
Hoping to stem the fallout from the collapse of Obamacare's largest co-op plan, New York State regulators said the state's Obamacare exchange will automatically enroll affected customers into new coverage on Dec. 1 and let customers actively select a new plan through Nov. 30 -- a 15-day extension -- so they don't see a gap in coverage this year. Published November 9, 2015
Supreme Court to hear challenges to Obamacare birth control mandate
The Supreme Court said Friday it will hear lawsuits from religious nonprofits who say the government didn't go far enough when it offered to carve them out of President Obama's birth-control rules on employers. Published November 6, 2015
Joe Pitts to retire; Pennsylvania Republican has served in House since 1997
Republican Congressman Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania announced Friday he will not seek re-election in 2016, departing Capitol Hill after serving a swath of the Philadelphia suburbs and much of Amish country since 1997. Published November 6, 2015
White House challenges 20 cities to boost Obamacare signups
Hoping to boost Obamacare signups in a tough third year, the White House on Friday challenged 20 cities across the U.S. to root out their uninsured residents and drive them into Web-based exchanges set up under the law. Published November 6, 2015
GOP digs into Obamacare’s co-op headache
Obamacare's co-op plans were "learning how to sail in a hurricane" when they set out to compete with larger, more-established insurers on Web exchanges set up to offer subsidized coverage in January 2014, a state regulator told Congress on Thursday. Published November 5, 2015
House approves $325 billion roads bill
The House advanced a $325 billion highway bill Thursday that funds infrastructure projects for three years -- setting the stage for Congress's first long-term roads deal in a decade -- though the White House says America's crumbling infrastructure will need even more money. Published November 5, 2015
Obama kicks off media blitz for health law
President Obama kicked off a media campaign in support of his signature health law Wednesday by cheering on "navigator" groups tasked with rooting out the millions of Americans who failed to sign up during the first two rounds. Published November 4, 2015
More than half of Obamacare co-ops go belly up
More than half of Obamacare's nonprofit co-op plans have failed, with Michigan becoming the latest to announce it will not offer plans for next year, prompting Republicans to label the program a disastrous waste of taxpayer money. Published November 3, 2015
Paul Ryan says new, open process will start with highway bill
Newly elected House Speaker Paul Ryan said a long-term highway bill is a "good place to start" on his pledge to open up the legislative process and allow members to be heard. Published November 3, 2015
Montana becomes 30th state to expand Medicaid under Obamacare
The Obama administration on Monday approved Montana's plan to expand its Medicaid program, making it the 30th state, plus D.C., to augment the government insurance program for the poor under Obamacare. Published November 2, 2015
Paul Ryan’s first test as speaker; House sets to work on highway bill
House lawmakers have filed 270 amendments to a multiyear highway bill that presents the first key test for newly elected Speaker Paul D. Ryan. Published November 2, 2015
GOP piles on after nearly half of Obamacare’s co-ops fail
Leading Senate Republicans pressed the administration Monday to explain how it plans to recoup $2.4 billion in loans to Obamacare's flailing co-op program and whether consumers will be able to get new coverage without significant hiccups. Published November 2, 2015
Third sign-up period for Obamacare underway through Jan. 31
Obamacare's marketplace opened its doors Sunday for the start of a three-month sign-up season that features a revamped HealthCare.gov and lingering questions about cost and competition. Published November 1, 2015
Anti-abortion March for Life faces Obama appeal on birth control mandate
The Obama administration filed notice Thursday that it will appeal a federal ruling that blocked it from enforcing its birth control mandate on a pro-life nonprofit known for its massive D.C. rallies against abortion. Published October 29, 2015
Paul Ryan elected speaker of the House, youngest in 150 years
Paul Ryan on Thursday became the youngest House speaker in nearly 150 years, winning one of the trickiest jobs in Washington by quelling rebellious conservatives and pledging to shake up the way Congress does business. Published October 29, 2015
Paul Ryan nominated to be House speaker; roll call begins
Calling him visionary and friend, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers rose Thursday to nominate Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin to become the next speaker. Published October 29, 2015
Mitt Romney on hand for final leg of Paul Ryan’s speaker bid
Former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be on hand Thursday to watch the likely ascension of his 2012 running mate, Paul Ryan, to the top constitutional post in Congress. Published October 29, 2015
Paul Ryan nominated for speaker by Republicans
House Republicans nominated Rep. Paul Ryan Wednesday to be their next speaker, surfacing from a turbulent month of party soul-searching to rally behind the rising star from Wisconsin and place him second in line to the presidency. Published October 28, 2015
Budget deal: Social Security fixes give Republicans small victory
The budget deal that Republican and Democratic leaders reached this week makes the biggest changes to Social Security in decades, giving Republicans a small victory as they try to sell the agreement to skeptical advocacy groups in Washington and voters back home. Published October 27, 2015
Ex-Im Bank reauthorized by House
The House voted Tuesday to revive the federal Export-Import Bank, capping an unusual end-run around GOP leaders and vexing conservatives who say the lapsed credit agency corrupted the free market and should fade away. Published October 27, 2015
