Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Mali reports three deaths from Ebola; West Africa country borders hard-hit Guinea
Mali has confirmed its second fatal case of Ebola and signaled an additional death was likely due to the virus, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, underscoring the virus' ability to move beyond the borders of three West African countries battered by the epidemic. Published November 12, 2014
Second round of Obamacare will be tough, White House ally says
A crucial nonprofit ally of the White House said Wednesday it will be much harder to reach uninsured Americans during Obamacare's second round. Published November 12, 2014
Ebola fight to be a top topic for Congress
The fight against Ebola will be front and center for Congress when lawmakers return to Washington on Wednesday, scrutinizing the Obama administration's response to the deadly virus even as the U.S. is on the path to clearing its remaining cases and doctors say they are making some headway in slowing the disease at its source in West Africa. Published November 11, 2014
Consumers to window shop on Obamacare 2.0
Americans who flock to Obamacare 2.0 this weekend will find spruced-up websites and enhanced "window-shopping," particularly at the federal government's HealthCare.gov portal, giving them a chance to pick and choose from plans they're eligible for. Published November 11, 2014
Obamacare foes to D.C. district court: Don’t bother with subsidies case until Supreme Court rules
Obamacare opponents who want the courts to rein in income-based subsidies they view as illegal have asked a D.C. federal appeals court not to move forward with their challenge because the Supreme Court has decided to hear a separate case that presents the same legal issue. Published November 11, 2014
Obamacare health exchange enrollees to fall short of target
The administration on Monday said fewer than 10 million Americans will enroll in Obamacare's health exchanges this go-around, well short of the 13 million target congressional scorekeepers deemed critical to its economics, suggesting another rocky rollout in the law's second year of full operation. Published November 10, 2014
New HHS brief tempers enrollment expectations five days before Obamacare kicks off again
The Obama administration on Monday significantly scaled down expectations for the health care law's second round of enrollment, a move that is sure to draw fire from Republican opponents who have accused the administration of tweaking the law and its barometers for success too many times. Published November 10, 2014
HealthCare.gov launches enhanced ‘window shopping’ tool
Shoppers on the federal Obamacare marketplace can get a sneak peak at the array of health plans offered in their area before they formally apply for coverage when open-enrollment kicks off on Saturday, according to an Obama announcement that outlines a much-needed "window shopping" feature on the website. Published November 10, 2014
Over-the-counter contraception not on Republican agenda
A number of Republican candidates surmounted Democrats' "war on women" attacks in this year's campaigns by calling for birth control to be made available over the counter — but it's unclear whether they'll be able to follow through on those promises when the new Congress convenes next year. Published November 9, 2014
Supreme Court takes Obamacare case on tax credits for state health care exchanges
The Supreme Court will wade into the legal heart of Obamacare for the second time in three years, taking up a case that could severely dent President Obama's signature domestic achievement as Republicans pledge to dismantle the law when they take full control of Congress. Published November 9, 2014
Supreme Court to hear Obamacare case over subsidies; could redefine the law
The Supreme Court will wade into the fight over Obamacare once again, this time deciding whether subsidies tied to the overhaul should be restricted to certain states under a strict reading of the law. Published November 7, 2014
Texas’ Ebola ordeal concludes as health officials take last person off monitoring list
Texas health officials are cheering the end of its brush with Ebola, as the last person linked to three patients diagnosed in Dallas will reach the end of a monitoring period for the viral disease late Friday. Published November 7, 2014
Obamacare opponents emboldened, gain reinforcements in midterms
Voters dealt a blow to Obamacare in a number of states this week when they re-elected GOP governors who had opposed the law, and even added a few to their ranks, making the climate less hospitable for President Obama's plans to expand Medicaid. Published November 6, 2014
Chris Christie gets high marks for handling of Ebola: poll
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie enjoyed a successful election night on the national stage Tuesday, with several Republican governors cruising to election over President Obama's allies. Now, Mr. Christie's constituents are giving him higher marks than the federal government for his handling of the Ebola situation. Published November 6, 2014
Mitch McConnell signals new GOP Senate majority will attack Obamacare piece by piece
Sen. Mitch McConnell, fresh out a sweeping victory in Kentucky that will likely make him the Senate majority leader, said Wednesday that Obamacare was a "huge legislative mistake" that is hurting states and the American people. Published November 5, 2014
Larry Hogan pulls off Election Night shocker, will be new governor of Maryland
In one of the the biggest Election Day shockers, Republican Larry Hogan pulled off a stunning victory in deep-blue Maryland to become only the second GOP governor in the state since 1969. Published November 5, 2014
Joni Ernst wins in Iowa, piling on Senate wins for the GOP
Republican candidate Joni Ernst has seized the Senate seat left by retiring Democratic senator Tom Harkin, representing the icing on the cake for GOP contenders who took back the upper chamber late Tuesday. Published November 5, 2014
Thom Tillis win over Kay Hagan in North Carolina secures GOP Senate majority
In a race that broke the bank, Republican challenger Thom Tillis squeaked out a victory over Democratic incumbent Kay R. Hagan in North Carolina, securing a Senate majority for Republicans. Published November 5, 2014
Election beating yet to turn Senate Democrats against Harry Reid
Despite devastating loses, Senate Democrats showed little sign of ditching the leadership team that led them to an Election Night disaster. Sen. Harry Reid, the Nevada Democrat who will lose his job as majority leader in the new GOP-run Senate, appeared ready to run for minority leader. Published November 4, 2014
Rep. Michael Grimm wins in N.Y., despite indictment and ‘like a boy’ comments
New York congressman Michael Grimm, who was indicted on tax and wire fraud charges in April, defeated his Democratic opponent on Tuesday, according to multiple media projections. Published November 4, 2014
