Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Rove: No point in dredging up Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky ahead of 2016
Political observers from both sides of the aisle said Sunday there is little use in rehashing the turmoil of Bill Clinton's presidency if his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, decides to run for the White House in 2016. Published February 16, 2014
Obamacare woes pit Democrats against Democrats in liberal states
The Obamacare rollout has gone so badly in some liberal-leaning states that it has turned into an issue in Democratic primaries, where incumbents are under attack for botching the enrollment period that began in October. Published February 13, 2014
New Obamacare enrollment map reveals surprises, uneven progress across U.S.
A Washington-based consultancy has compared new Obamacare data to projected enrollment in each state, a handy tool that shows states such as Idaho, Montana and North Carolina doing quite well even though they've flown under the radar and relied on the federal government to run their new insurance marketplace. Published February 13, 2014
Obamacare sign-ups surge in January, still fall short among youth
More than 3 million people had signed up for private health insurance on the Obamacare marketplace through the end of January, according to new figures that show the controversial overhaul is still failing to attract enough young people with about six weeks left in its first-ever enrollment period. Published February 12, 2014
Obama defends delays as easing Obamacare’s burden
President Obama brushed off criticism Tuesday of his decision to delay an Obamacare rule that requires larger employers to provide health insurance, saying recent edits to his signature health care law are designed to ease the pain for employer and individuals alike. Published February 11, 2014
Administration steps up Hispanic outreach on Obamacare
The Obama administration said Tuesday that 8 in 10 Hispanic Americans may qualify for government-funded health insurance or financial assistance to pay for private plans on Obamacare markets. Published February 11, 2014
Another key Obamacare mandate delayed again
The Obama administration announced Monday it is delaying the new health care law's "employer mandate" for one more year among mid-sized companies, a move that is sure to renew political recriminations among Republicans who feel the White House is protecting Democratic allies in a key election year. Published February 10, 2014
GOP leaders join suit against Obamacare subsidies
Top Republican critics of the new health care law have put their clout behind a lawsuit that seeks to cut off Obamacare's insurance subsidies to two thirds of the states. Published February 7, 2014
IRS undecided on health insurance coverage lawsuits
The IRS is still trying to decide whether it will end up suing anyone who refuses to obtain health insurance or pay the tax penalty required under Obamacare's "individual mandate," and how much they would have to owe before the tax agency begins to care. Published February 6, 2014
Bipartisan group in Congress files bill to scrap ‘doc fix,’ revamp Medicare payments
A bipartisan coalition from both chambers of Congress unveiled a bill Thursday to replace the current way doctors are paid under Medicare with one that rewards providers for high-quality care — a measure that both sides of the political aisle praised as long overdue. Published February 6, 2014
GOP slams Obamacare insurance bailout
Congressional Republicans took aim Wednesday at a piece of President Obama's health overhaul designed to "bail out" insurers if the law's economics do not work at the start, saying it ensures businesses make profits while taxpayers pick up the tab. Published February 5, 2014
Religious groups to back Obamacare contraceptive mandate
Some religious groups are backing the government in the Supreme Court case over the contraceptive mandate, saying that while they believe in the freedom of worship, the Obama administration's proposal to cover women's health is the least objectionable path forward. Published February 4, 2014
New Obamacare ads use pets to promote new health care options in the human realm
A pro-Obamacare group and the Ad Council unveiled new ads Tuesday that use pets to encourage young women to sign up for coverage under the new health care law. Published February 4, 2014
Wisconsin duo sue city over anti-Obama banner ban
Two men sued a small Wisconsin town on Monday, arguing an ordinance banning them from posting American flags or anti-President Obama signs on overpasses was an attempt to “eviscerate” their First Amendment rights. Published February 3, 2014
No system to fix errors in HealthCare.gov sign-ups: report
People who sought coverage on the federal Obamacare website are not able to fix errors that occurred when they tried to sign up on the balky system, leaving more than 20,000 Americans scrambling to scale back payments that are too high or obtain the correct health plan, according to a news report. Published February 3, 2014
States resume efforts to gut Obamacare
After Obamacare's rocky rollout, lawmakers in state capitals around the country are back in session for the new year and once again going after the new health law, trying to stamp it out or obstruct its implementation within their borders. Published January 30, 2014
GOP senators to governors: Submit your ideas to replace Obamacare
Three days after they released a blueprint to repeal and replace Obamacare, Republican senators are fielding health-reform ideas from like-minded governors. Published January 30, 2014
16 Democratic attorneys-general back contraception mandate at Supreme Court
Officials from 15 states and the District of Columbia asked the Supreme Court on Wednesday to uphold a new rule that requires large employers to insure birth control as part of their health plans. Published January 29, 2014
President ignores Obamacare stumbles while taunting GOP to try to do better
"I know that the American people are not interested in refighting old battles," President Obama told Congress in his State of the Union Address. "So again, if you have specific plans to cut costs, cover more people, and increase choice — tell America what you’d do differently. Let’s see if the numbers add up." Published January 28, 2014
Congress takes Obamacare contraception battle to court
Congress took its battle over Obamacare and contraception to court Tuesday, with Democrats filing legal briefs with the Supreme Court arguing the administration’s coverage mandate promotes public health, and senior Republicans countering that it flouts religious freedom laws for which they had voted. Published January 28, 2014
