Tom Howell Jr.

HHS breaks own rules, OKs Ark. Medicaid plan — with potentially costly results: report

The Obama administration may end up paying more than it should for Arkansas' novel approach to Obamacare's Medicaid expansion, government investigators said Monday in a report with implications for several states that mimicked the state's "private-option" method. Published September 8, 2014

HHS unveils $60M in grants for face-to-face Obamacare efforts

The Obama administration said Monday it will dole out $60 million in "navigator" grants to groups charged with offering in-person help to people who want to sign up for health coverage under Obamacare. Published September 8, 2014

Colorado Senate race a ‘nail-biter’ between Udall, Gardner: poll

The Senate race in Colorado is a "nail-biter" ahead of the first debate between Democratic Sen. Mark Udall and Republican challenger Cory Gardner, a new survey says. Published September 5, 2014

Hillary Clinton: I’ll decide on White House run after the new year

Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday she will likely decide whether to run for president in 2016 after the new year begins. Published September 5, 2014

Jeb Bush circle to donors: Give us right of first refusal

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's advisers are asking political donors not to commit to other potential 2016 candidates until he decides whether to take a run at the GOP nomination for president, according to the Wall Street Journal. Published September 5, 2014

Rep. Tom Cole: ISIS galvanizing anti-terror coalition

Rep. Tom Cole said Friday if the Islamic State can claim credit for anything, it's that "they know how to unite the whole world against them." Published September 5, 2014

Cotton-Pryor race in Arkansas a dead heat: CNN poll

Republican congressman Tom Cotton leads Democratic Sen. Mark Pryor by 2 points in a closely watched battle in Arkansas that could determine which party controls the Senate, according to a CNN poll of likely voters. Published September 5, 2014

Claire McCaskill talked to Kansas Democrat about race to unseat Sen. Pat Roberts

Sen. Claire McCaskill said Friday she spoke to Democratic candidate Chad Taylor about his chances of winning a Senate race in Kansas against Republican Sen. Pat Roberts. But she stopped short of saying she muscled him into dropping out. Published September 5, 2014

Mark Pryor touts Obamacare in campaign ad — without mentioning it by name

Sen. Mark Pryor has released another campaign ad that goes to bat for Obamacare without mentioning it by name Published September 5, 2014

Banking and real estate industries back in public’s good graces

Americans have a positive image of banking industry for the first time since 2007 and a positive view of the real estate industry for the first time since 2006, proving each sector is recovering from the doldrums of a financial recession precipitated in large part by a mortgage-linked housing bubble, according to a new survey. Published September 5, 2014

Bill Cassidy holds 3-point lead over Mary Landrieu: poll

A poll of likely Louisiana voters has Republican Rep. Bill Cassidy leading Democratic Sen. Mary Landrieu by 3 points in one of the country's tightest Senate races. Published September 4, 2014

Democrat-heavy appeals court will hear critical Obamacare subsidy case

A top federal appeals court vacated its July ruling striking down a major part of Obamacare and announced Thursday that it will rehear the case in December, potentially delaying a date with the Supreme Court. Published September 4, 2014

Budget cuts at U.N. health agency stifling Ebola response: report

Budget cuts at the World Health Organization have hampered its ability to respond to the Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa, according to a report. Published September 4, 2014

Market forces prevent Rite-Aid and Walgreens from following CVS’s lead on tobacco

CVS Caremark set a "powerful example" by deciding to stop selling tobacco products as ofWednesday, according to the White House, but its top rivals are not planning to follow suit. Published September 4, 2014

Bill Nelson’s plea: Congress must give Obama OK to target Islamic State

Sen. Bill Nelson said Thursday that when Congress returns next week he will push a bill that gives President Obama the authority to target the Islamic State in Syria. Published September 4, 2014

David Cameron takes a stand: Islamic State must be ‘squeezed out of existence’

U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron said Thursday that eradicating the Islamic State is a worthwhile goal, but it will be a "generational struggle" that requires a collaborative efforts among allies. Published September 4, 2014

Mitch McConnell opening lead over Alison Grimes: polls

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has opened up a lead over Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes in the battle to retain his Kentucky seat and shepherd Republicans into the Senate majority, according to two new polls. Published September 4, 2014

Health care spending expected to pick up, grab bigger share of GDP

U.S. health care spending is projected to accelerate and outpace economic growth in the coming years due to an upswing in the economy, an aging population and increased health coverage under Obamacare, government actuaries said Wednesday. Published September 3, 2014

Rep. Michael McCaul: ISIS declared war on U.S. by killing reporters

A Texas congressman said Wednesday it is clear the Islamic State is at war with the U.S. and called on the Obama administration to take decisive action before an attack occurs on American soil. Published September 3, 2014

Obama, Congress have country on the wrong track: poll

Seven in 10 Americans says the country is on the wrong track and more than half disapprove of the job President Obama is doing, according to a new George Washington Battleground Poll. Published September 3, 2014