Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
House GOP rejoices in vote to repeal ‘Obamacare,’ Democrats see insanity
House Republicans cheered their vote on Thursday to repeal President Obama's health care law as the triumph of reason and public opinion over false promises from the White House. Democrats called them insane. Published May 16, 2013
Lawmakers see plenty of other places where IRS can find tax scofflaws
From pro athletes who waste money at their charitable foundations to federal employees who don't pay their taxes, legislators have a few suggestions for whom the IRS should have been scrutinizing instead of going after partisan organizations. Published May 15, 2013
Senate approves new Medicare/Medicaid chief
The Senate on Wednesday approved President Obama's pick to lead the nation's Medicare agency, sending it a permanent leader for the first time in several years as the nation inches closer to sweeping health care reforms. Marilyn B. Tavenner enjoyed bipartisan support at the committee level before the full chamber voted, 91-7, to confirm her as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Published May 15, 2013
Conservative lawmakers, governors at odds over expanding Medicaid
Time is running out for states to decide whether they will expand their Medicaid programs under President Obama's health law — a decision that pits governors who think it is too good of a deal to pass up against conservative lawmakers who see it as a budget-busting gamble. Published May 14, 2013
Senate leaders: It’s time to fix doctor Medicare payments
Top federal lawmakers say the time has come to overhaul the way physicians are paid under Medicare, a long-standing problem that encourages medical providers to offer more procedures instead of seeking to improve the quality of care. Published May 14, 2013
Obama administration asks court to block birth control order
The Obama administration on Monday asked an appeals panel to delay the enforcement of a federal judge's stern order to make emergency contraception available to women of all ages without a prescription. Published May 13, 2013
Judge slaps Obama administration again over birth control restrictions
A federal judge in New York rebuked the Obama administration on Friday and said the federal government will not get a reprieve from his order to make a form of emergency contraception available to all ages without a prescription. Published May 10, 2013
Parents call for sanctions on countries that refuse to aid return of children
Parents whose spouses flee overseas with their children called Thursday for the federal government to put sanctions on countries that don't help get those children returned, saying it should be considered a human-trafficking issue, not merely a family dispute. Published May 9, 2013
Ky. governor OKs Medicaid expansion under ‘Obamacare’
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear says he supports the expansion of Medicaid in his state under President Obama's health care law, a decision that would extend coverage to 308,000 residents. Published May 9, 2013
Obama releases new data on hospital bill disparities
President Obama's top health officials released a massive trove of medical billing data Wednesday, which they said will help expose hospitals that charge too much for common procedures. Published May 8, 2013
Bipartisanship surfaces on issue of helium reserve
Federal lawmakers from both parties say they're eager to scale down the nation's helium reserve without disrupting the supply chain, a seemingly arcane effort that is so urgent it may "rise above" the partisan rancor on Capitol Hill. Published May 7, 2013
N.Y. judge wants contraception ruling enforced, says Obama’s playing politics
A federal judge on Thursday said the Obama administration is playing politics with his decision to make emergency contraception available to all ages without a prescription, according to attorneys who were in the courtroom. Published May 7, 2013
Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin drops block on Obama Medicare nominee
Sen. Tom Harkin said he will remove his hold on President Obama's pick to lead the nation's Medicare agency, but the powerful Iowa Democrat said Tuesday he is still not happy with the administration's "penny-wise, pound-foolish" tendency to raid a fund designated for preventative health programs. Published May 7, 2013
‘Obamacare’ not playing a leading role in state campaigns
President Obama's health care law may be a partisan flash point on Capitol Hill, but unique factors have forced it to play a supporting role in spring campaigns to fill empty seats in Congress. Published May 6, 2013
Pediatric PR: Sebelius tells pediatricians to promote ‘Obamacare’
President Obama's top health official asked the nation's pediatric groups on Monday to spread the word about benefits within the federal health care law, a plea that coincides with mounting pressure to implement the ambitious overhaul before its main provisions kick in next year. Published May 6, 2013
Reported Israel-led missile attack in Syria is sign of growing regional tension
Former New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said Sunday that Israel's reported airstrike outside of Damascus early Sunday is "sending a signal" to Iran, Hezbollah and possibly the United States "that the situation right in the Syrian area is getting very, very tense." Published May 5, 2013
Giuliani: Boston bombings show threat of homegrown jihadists
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said the Obama administration should ratchet up its focus on homegrown terrorists and their links to overseas jihadists despite the death of Osama bin Laden, citing the Boston Marathon bombings as a reminder that radicalized Islam is a constant threat. Published May 5, 2013
Israeli airstrikes on Syria put Obama at the crossroads
As Israeli planes hit targets in Syria for the second time in three days, some Republicans on Sunday ramped up their calls for President Obama to take stronger measures against the Assad regime — but the White House response was muted. Published May 5, 2013
Dramatic and damaging details on Benghazi attack expected during congressional showdown
The top American diplomat in Libya is set to offer politically damaging testimony this week that suggests the Obama administration fumbled its response to the Sept. 11 attacks on the U.S. diplomatic post in Benghazi that killed Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans. Published May 5, 2013
Federal judge will hear from litigants regarding Plan B contraceptives on Tuesday
The Justice Department will appear before a federal judge on Tuesday in its bid to suspend a controversial April 5 ruling that would make emergency contraceptives available to young teenage girls without a prescription in the coming days. Published May 3, 2013
