For Trump and GOP, ‘Obamacare’ repeal is complex and risky

Here's the idea: Swiftly pass a repeal of President Barack Obama's health care law, perhaps soon enough for Donald Trump to sign it the day he takes the presidential oath. Then approve legislation restructuring the nation's huge and convoluted health care system - despite Republican divisions, Democratic opposition and millions of jittery constituents.

Control of Washington comes with political risks for GOP

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., right, speaks with other Senators before a Senate Republican conference leadership election meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2016. Senate Republicans re-elected McConnell to be majority leader, key legislative partner for next president Trump.

Trump embraces the cool part of Obamacare a ” but not the part that makes it work

When it comes to health care, President-elect Donald Trump has made it clear that he's all in favor of dessert but doesn't want any Brussels sprouts. He was asked during a "60 Minutes" interview that aired Nov. 13 about health insurers not being allowed to deny coverage to people with preexisting medical conditions - by far the most popular aspect of Obamacare.

Donald Trump’s 7-point healthcare plan

As President Obama prepares to step down in January, he will leave behind one of the most harmful legacies imaginable: Unaffordable healthcare for much of the nation, which is bitterly ironic, given that the "Affordable" Care Act, a.k.a. Obamacare , was supposed to lower premiums and other out-of-pocket expenses. In fact, as reported by the Washington Free Beacon , a new study has found that average premiums will increase by 27 percent next year, even higher than what the Department of Health and Human Services predicted just weeks ago.

McConnell returned to Senate GOP helm as Schumer replaces Reid, Sanders elevated

Senate Republicans re-elected Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on Wednesday to be majority leader next year, keeping the tough legislative tactician at the forefront when the new Congress begins working on Donald Trump's agenda. The chamber's Democrats replaced their departing leader with Sen. Chuck Schumer, meaning the New Yorker will be Washington's most powerful Democrat as the party confronts a Republican-dominated government.

Anchorage, AK executive earns national award at industry conference

The International Bottled Water Association today announced that Terry Clark, chief operating officer of Alaska Glacial Products LLC, based in Anchorage, has won its prestigious Shayron Barnes-Selby / IBWA Advocacy Award. Mr. Clark was handed the award at IBWA's Annual General Meeting as part of the 2016 IBWA Annual Business Conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

Governor ditches Medicaid expansion after Mike Pence meeting

Republican Gov. Dennis Daugaard said Tuesday that he won't pursue an expansion of Medicaid in 2017 after a discussion with Vice President-elect Mike Pence. The South Dakota governor said in a statement that his decision is based on a Monday meeting in which he and Pence talked about the Trump administration's plans for repealing or reforming the Affordable Care Act.

What might TrumpCare look like?

Oregon has plenty to lose when it comes to President-elect Donald Trump's vow to change the nation's health care system. His surprise victory threatens state officials' hope of plugging a looming budget hole with $1.25 billion in federal health care reform payments, and his vow to immediately repeal Obamacare creates uncertainty for more than 470,000 Oregonians who received coverage or subsidies under the law.

Quick Takes: Trump Begins to Find Out What It Means to Be POTUS

During their private White House meeting on Thursday, Mr. Obama walked his successor through the duties of running the country, and Mr. Trump seemed surprised by the scope, said people familiar with the meeting. Following Trump's meeting Thursday at the White House with the president, several Obama officials privately noted the extent to which Trump and his staff seemed unprepared to discuss basic aspects of staffing a new administration and daunted by the extent of the challenges ahead Kushner's [Trump's son-in-law] presence at the White House on Thursday drew notice from Obama's staff when he asked, as they toured the West Wing, how many of the individuals there would remain into the next administration.

Some Republicans see attacking Obamacare through regulation

Congressional Republicans are looking for the quickest ways to tear down Obamacare following Donald Trump's election as U.S. president, including rapidly confirming a new health secretary who could recast regulations while waiting for lawmakers to pass sweeping repeal legislation. Trump's victory on Tuesday means Republicans will control the White House, Senate and House of Representatives.

How the new Republican majority can succeed

Donald Trump won fair and square and, as Hillary Clinton said in her concession speech, is owed an open mind and a chance to lead. It is therefore incumbent upon conservatives who have been highly critical of Trump to think through how to make a success of the coming years of Republican rule.

How Trump could shift the Supreme Court’s agenda

Even before Donald Trump chooses a Supreme Court nominee, the new president can take steps to make several contentious court cases go away. Legal challenges involving immigration, climate change, cost-free contraceptive care and transgender rights all could be affected, without any help from Congress.

Trump’s presidential pen could remake Supreme Court’s agenda

Even before Donald Trump chooses a Supreme Court nominee, the new president can take steps to make several contentious court cases go away. Legal challenges involving immigration, climate change, cost-free contraceptive care and transgender rights all could be affected, without any help from Congress.

In minority party, Hassan says she’ll stand up to Trump

New Hampshire's new U.S. Senator, Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., talks during an interview with the Associated Press in her office Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, in Concord, N.H. New Hampshire's new U.S. Senator, Gov. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., talks during an interview with the Associated Press in her office Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, in Concord, N.H. CONCORD, N.H. - Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan chose to run for U.S. Senate to help protect and advance New Hampshire's work on Medicaid expansion, women's health care and a slew of other issues. "I am sure I can find common ground with members of the other party in the Senate as well as President Trump," she told The Associated Press on Friday.

In minority party, Hassan says shea ll stand up to Trump

Democratic Gov. Maggie Hassan chose to run for U.S. Senate to help protect and advance New Hampshire's work on Medicaid expansion, women's health care and a slew of other issues. "I am sure I can find common ground with members of the other party in the Senate as well as President Trump," she told The Associated Press on Friday.

With numbers in Washington, GOP eyes repealing Obamacare; Trump keeps options open

President-elect Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan converse about Trump's transition to the White House. House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-WI, is giddy about a Republican-controlled White House because it will let him and the Republican majority in Congress wield legislative influence that was previously denied by President Barack Obama's veto pen.

Ducey: Hold off on repealing Obamacare; Gov. wants replacement to protect Arizona

Gov. Doug Ducey said Thursday he does not want the new president and Congress to repeal the Affordable Care Act unless and until they come up with a replacement that protects Arizonans. Ducey acknowledged that one of the key campaign promises of Donald Trump is to scrap was has become known as ObamaCare.

Trump promised to repeal Obamacare. Now what?

Republican President-elect Donald Trump vowed on the campaign trail to repeal Obamacare, but making good on that promise may be easier said than done. President Barack Obama's 2010 national healthcare reform law extended medical insurance to 25 million more people by expanding the Medicaid plan for the poor and creating subsidized coverage for individuals.