Tom Howell Jr.
Articles by Tom Howell Jr.
Republicans question cost of Obamacare price break for unions
Anticipating a move by the White House to appease unions, top House Republicans asked Congress' auditors to estimate how much it would cost to provide Obamacare subsidies to workers who use multi-employer health plans. Published September 5, 2013
Many will not get Obamacare benefits in states resisting Medicaid push: study
Two in five adults who were uninsured at some point in the past two years and live in states that opted not to expand their Medicaid enrollment under President Obama's health care overhaul will not be able to take advantage of new coverage options under the sweeping law, according to a new study. Published September 5, 2013
Bill Clinton calls on Obamacare detractors to make the law work
Former President Bill Clinton on Wednesday called on Obamacare's opponents to embrace the new health care law, arguing Americans cannot tolerate from "now to eternity" a broken health care system that lags behind those of other rich nations. Published September 4, 2013
Lawmakers demand Capitol Hill not be shielded from Obamacare
A quartet of Republican lawmakers on Tuesday accused the Obama administration of taking steps to "shield Washington insiders" from financial impacts of the new health care law and said it should reconsider its approach. Published September 3, 2013
Obamacare foes claim 1 million signatures for defunding
The Senate Conservatives Fund and outspoken Republican lawmakers boasted Tuesday that more than one million people have signed an online petition that calls on Congress to strip funding from President Obama's health care law. Published September 3, 2013
GOP wants decision overturned on taxpayer subsidies for Obamacare for Congress, staff
A growing chorus of Republican lawmakers is calling on the Obama administration to reverse its decision to let members of Congress and their staffs use taxpayer money to buy insurance under the new health care law, setting up a politically touchy debate as more of the law takes effect. Published September 1, 2013
Wal-Mart wage bill in D.C. heads for mayor’s desk
A "living wage" bill that has sparked a running tiff between Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and D.C. lawmakers is expected to reach the desk of Mayor Vincent C. Gray on Friday. Published August 29, 2013
AFL-CIO’s Trumka: Obamacare still needs fixing
The chief of America's top labor group said Thursday that President Obama's health care law is a step in the right direction but it "wasn't thought completely through" and he is speaking to the White House about how to fix it. Published August 29, 2013
GOP-led states that held out on Medicaid giving in
Some of the Republican-led states holding out against expanding their Medicaid programs are beginning to cave, effectively embracing a key pillar of President Obama's health care law. Published August 28, 2013
Cruz: Some Republicans only want political cover on Obamacare
Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said Wednesday that too many of his fellow Republicans are "scared" of his bid to defund Obamacare and are exaggerating the consequences of taking a stand during an upcoming budget showdown on Capitol Hill. Published August 28, 2013
Obamacare backers target back-to-school audience
A key ally in the Obama administration's efforts to promote the health care law announced Wednesday it is leveraging back-to-school season by touting Obamacare to young people and their parents at college campus orientations and backpack giveaways. Published August 28, 2013
With just days to go, Obamacare message still muddled for many
When Peter Beilenson and his bare-bones staff spread the word about President Obama's health care law, a series of discouraging themes emerge. Published August 26, 2013
Bobby Jindal rejects GOP talk of impeaching Obama
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said he disagrees with many of President Obama's policies, notably Obamacare, but it's not time to talk about kicking the president out of the White House through the impeachment process. Published August 25, 2013
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin: ‘A nice gesture’ if Obama addressed ‘thrill kill’ of Aussie
Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin said Sunday it would be a "nice gesture" if President Obama weighed in on the senseless killing of an Australian college student on Aug. 16 in her state. Published August 25, 2013
La. Gov. Bobby Jindal: Talk of Obama impeachment is misguided
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said he disagrees with many of President Obama's policies, notably Obamacare, but it's not time to talk about kicking the president out of the White House through the impeachment process. Published August 25, 2013
Republicans implore Obama: Get off the sidelines on Syria issue; U.N. to visit attack site
Congressional Republicans on Sunday ratcheted up pressure on the White House to intervene in Syria, saying the United States "has sat on the sidelines for too long" amid increasing evidence that the Assad regime used chemical weapons on civilians. Published August 25, 2013
Ted Cruz doubles down on threat to defund Obamacare, proposes alternatives
Sen. Ted Cruz has doubled down on his long shot bid to defund Obamacare, even though Senate Democrats are highly unlikely to approve a short-term spending deal this September that impugns President Obama's signature domestic achievement. Published August 25, 2013
Advocates for gay, immigrant rights march in footsteps of blacks
Organizers are turning the 50th anniversary celebration of the March on Washington into far more than a history lesson — vowing to use the commemoration to push for voting rights, immigration reform and gay rights, and underscoring just how much the civil rights movement has transformed. Published August 22, 2013
Using pen and paper, House GOP draws bead on Obamacare funding
A North Carolina Republican congressman is leading 79 of his colleagues in calling on the House GOP leadership to "defund Obamacare" through any spending bills that come before the chamber in coming months. Published August 22, 2013
Sebelius: Debate over health care law is ‘over’
President Obama's top health official on Thursday said debate about the new health care law is "really over" and that it is time for Americans to reach out to the uninsured — particularly young adults and Latinos — to ensure its success. Published August 22, 2013
