Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Insurance brokers see big problems in Obamacare rollouts
A key part of online strategy for President Obama's health care law is faltering as insurance brokers who were supposed to act as middlemen in signing Americans up for policies — particularly the young, healthy enrollees key to the law's success — say they are being thwarted by the clunky system. Published March 3, 2014
New GOP bill would delay key Obamacare mandate
A Republican congresswoman introduced a bill Friday that would effectively delay the most controversial part of Obamacare for one year. Published February 28, 2014
Health insurers detail raised premiums from Obamacare cuts to Medicare
A top health-insurance industry group said Thursday that cuts to Medicare Advantage, called for in Obamacare and announced late last week, will boost the average beneficiary's bill by hundreds of dollars a year. Published February 27, 2014
Group airs ads against Va. Medicaid expansion
Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political action group, has launched a new radio ad in Virginia that urges state lawmakers to fight Gov. Terry McAuliffe's plan to expand Medicaid under Obamacare — a high-stakes issue that's been tied to the budget and raises the specter of a government shutdown in Richmond by mid-year. Published February 27, 2014
Clay Aiken thinks Obamacare could be better
The former "American Idol" runner-up who's gunning for a congressional seat in North Carolina, says the new health care law is rocky in places and should have done more to address health care costs. Published February 27, 2014
Insurers’ lobby hits back at Medicare Advantage cuts, cites report that seniors will pay more
America's Health Insurance Plans said if the plan put forth last week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services comes to pass, combined with last year's cuts the agency will have slashed the popular program by double digits. Published February 27, 2014
Reid backs off on Obamacare horror stories claim
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid late Wednesday dialed back his claim that Obamacare horror stories aired by conservative donors like the Koch brothers are "all untrue," but he still thinks most of the negative accounts are false. Published February 26, 2014
Democrats double down on Obamacare
Striking a defiant posture, a group of Senate Democrats on Wednesday pushed back at Republican "haters" of Obamacare and said they will redouble their efforts to highlight people who are gaining health coverage and saving money because of the reforms. Published February 26, 2014
Obama administration: Fraud-fighting efforts recouped billions for health care
The Obama administration said Wednesday its programs to combat health care fraud recovered more than $8 for every investigative dollar spent over the past three years. Published February 26, 2014
Administration: Obamacare sign-ups now at 4 million
The Obama administration said late Tuesday that 4 million Americans have selected a private health plan under Obamacare. Published February 25, 2014
Maryland dumps main contractor on state’s Obamacare site
Maryland officials said Monday they have cut ties with the main contractor on its troubled Obamacare exchange and selected a vendor that helped the federal government rebound from its own problems on HealthCare.gov. Published February 24, 2014
New service launched to track Obamacare subsidies
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Consumer Reports said Monday they've teamed up to create a website that helps people find out if they qualify for financial assistance when they choose a health plan on one of Obamacare's web-based markets. Published February 24, 2014
Obamacare medical device tax led to loss of 33,000 jobs, report says
A new survey says Obamacare's tax on medical device manufacturers forced companies to lay off or avoid hiring 33,000 workers last year — adding another arrow to the GOP's quiver as Republicans aim to portray the health care law as a job-killing program. Published February 23, 2014
GOP lawmakers, trade groups rail against proposed Medicare Advantage cuts
Republican lawmakers cried foul Friday night over an Obama administration proposal to cut payment rates to private insurers who administer Medicare Advantage, a popular alternative to the government-run health program for seniors. Published February 22, 2014
Public sector slashes part-timers’ hours ahead of Obamacare mandates
Local governments, community colleges and other public employers are cutting work hours among part-time employees to prepare for coming mandates under Obamacare, according to the New York Times. Published February 21, 2014
Flu season hit young adults especially hard this year: CDC
This year's flu season is hitting young and middle-aged adults particularly hard, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Published February 21, 2014
N.J. to forfeit $7.6M in Obamacare funds after Christie fails to submit plan
New Jersey will likely lose a $7.6 million Obamacare grant from the federal government after it failed to submit a plan by Thursday's deadline on how it would use the money, according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Published February 21, 2014
Industry survey says Obamacare’s medical device tax is killing thousands of jobs
A new survey says Obamacare's tax on medical device manufacturers has cost the industry about 33,000 jobs. Published February 21, 2014
Hillary Clinton enjoys high favorability ratings, better than Joe Biden’s, poll shows
A majority of Americans view Hillary Clinton favorably a year after she left her post as secretary of state, although her rating is 5 points lower than it was when she served in President Obama's cabinet, Gallup said. Published February 21, 2014
Adelina Sotnikova’s home-cooked Olympics win over Yuna Kim prompts change.org petition
More than 1.5. million people have signed a petition on Change.org that demands an investigation into the ladies figure skating competition at the Olympic Games in Sochi. Published February 21, 2014
