Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Business owners’ lawsuit says tax credits cannot flow to federally run Obamacare markets
A group of small business owners has filed suit against President Obama's health care law, breathing new life into a long-simmering debate on whether the law's premium tax credits were solely intended for states that set up their own insurance markets. Published May 3, 2013
Birth control stances test Obama’s liberal base
The debate over minors' access to contraceptives is testing the loyalty of groups traditionally among the biggest supporters of President Obama, who said Thursday he is "comfortable" with his administration's efforts to find a middle ground on the issue. Published May 2, 2013
Obama’s appeal on morning-after pill ruling blurs battle lines, tests supporters’ loyalty
The ongoing debate over minors' access to contraceptives is testing the loyalty of groups traditionally among the biggest supporters of President Obama, who said Thursday he is "comfortable" with his administration's efforts to find a middle ground on the issue. Published May 2, 2013
W.Va. Gov. Tomblin opts to expand Medicaid under ‘Obamacare’
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin, a Democrat, has decided to expand the Medicaid program in his state under President Obama's health care law. Published May 2, 2013
Obama administration to appeal Plan B contraception age limit
The Obama administration, under massive pressure from both sides of the culture war over contraception, has decided to appeal a federal court’s order to make a morning-after pill available to everyone without a prescription, just a day after expanding access to the pills for younger teenage girls. Published May 1, 2013
FDA approves sale of morning-after pill without a prescription to 15-year-olds
The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday it has approved selling a version of the morning-after contraceptive pill without a prescription to girls 15 years of age or older — down from the current 17-year-old age limit. Published April 30, 2013
Obama admits challenges but doubles down on ‘Obamacare’
President Obama on Tuesday vowed that his health care law will be a success for both insured and soon-to-be-covered Americans, even though it is a "big, complicated piece of business" facing ceaseless criticism on Capitol Hill and roadblocks to implementation in Republican-led states. Published April 30, 2013
‘Obamacare’ opponents checking for ‘rate shock’
Opponents of President Obama's health care law are eagerly scouring the paperwork insurers file with states, looking for early evidence of "rate shock" — rising prices ahead of full implementation of the state "exchanges" that begin next year. Published April 29, 2013
It’s a squeaker: Helium reserve of urgent concern for Congress ahead of shutdown
Most Americans equate helium with clowns and squeaky-voiced numbskulls, but with a worldwide shortage looming, Congress has suddenly taken a keen interest in the gas. Published April 28, 2013
House votes to avert a worldwide helium shortage
The House overwhelmingly passed legislation on Friday to sell off helium from a federal reserve in Texas while demanding a fair price for it, a seemingly arcane bill that exposed a global shortage of the second-most abundant element in the universe. Published April 26, 2013
Sebelius visits Capitol Hill to stop health care law ‘train wreck’
President Obama's top health official tried Thursday to stanch Republican lawmakers' complaints about the federal health care law amid growing concerns from both sides of the aisle that the administration is facing a "train wreck" as it prepares to go live with key parts of the system next year. Published April 25, 2013
Md. GOP congressman demands answers on contraception mandate
A Republican congressman asked President Obama's top health official on Thursday to declare whether a specific morning-after pill is an abortion-causing drug. Published April 25, 2013
House GOP: Influx of vets for ‘Obamacare’ may overwhelm VA
House Republicans said Wednesday that the Veterans Affairs Department may not be ready to handle hundreds of thousands of veterans who may sign up for health benefits next year to meet the new individual mandate under President Obama's health-care law. Published April 24, 2013
House GOP leaders scrap health care bill amid conservative backlash
Facing another conservative rebellion, House Republican leaders Wednesday scratched votes on a bill that would have cut one part of President Obama's health care law in order to prop up another section providing coverage for those with pre-existing conditions. Published April 24, 2013
Senate panel backs Tavenner to run Medicare and Medicaid
The Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday approved President Obama's pick to lead the federal agency that runs Medicare and Medicaid, giving her a bipartisan boost amid the fiery debate over health care and entitlement spending. Published April 23, 2013
Smokers cloud states’ rollout of ‘Obamacare’
States are wrestling with how to treat smokers under the new health care law as they navigate the thorny issue of providing coverage for those who knowingly engage in harmful behavior and how much taxpayers should pay for those folks' choices. Published April 22, 2013
NYC bill would raise smoking age to 21
New York City could become the first place in America to put restrictions on smoking in line with drinking laws by raising the legal age to purchase tobacco products. Published April 22, 2013
Rep. Issa wants to know where ‘Obamacare’ money is coming from
The House's top investigator said Monday that he's worried about the administration's plans to shift money around to implement President Obama's new health law. Published April 22, 2013
Ruslan Tsarni says nephews Dzhokhar and Tamerlan are ‘losers’
The Maryland uncle for the two brothers suspected in Monday's Boston Marathon bombing angrily denounced his nephews as "losers" who failed to assimilate into American society, while saying it was a "fraud" to suggest their Islamic faith was to blame the attack. Published April 19, 2013
Deceased suspect had studied at Bunker Hill Community College
A suspect tied to the Boston Marathon bombings who was killed overnight in a shootout with police attended a community college and posted an online message about Americans ahead of Monday's attack, according to CNN. Published April 19, 2013
