Thanks to Republican Tax Cuts, Obamacare is No Longer Constitutional

In one of its most controversial decisions, the Supreme Court in 2012 upheld the constitutionality of a provision in the Affordable Care Act mandating individuals purchase qualifying health insurance or else pay a fine, with Chief Justice John Roberts casting the deciding vote in favor of the law. However, nearly , a provision included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, passed mostly along party lines in December 2017, may soon force Roberts to reevaluate his decision, potentially ending the health care law without a single vote being cast in Congress.

Under Trump proposal, lawful immigrants might be inclined to shun health benefits

The Trump administration is considering a policy change that might discourage immigrants who are seeking permanent residency from using government-supported health care, a scenario that is alarming some doctors, hospitals and patient advocates. Under the proposed plan, a lawful immigrant holding a visa could be passed over for getting permanent residency - a green card - if they use Medicaid, a subsidized Obamacare plan, food stamps, tax credits or a list of other non-cash government benefits, according to a draft of the plan published by The Washington Post.

Meghan McCain wonders how White House staffer who mocked her dad can ‘still have a job’

Meghan McCain, the daughter of six-term Arizona Republican Sen. John McCain, once again had to use her platform as a host of ABC's The View to defend her father, who is currently under treatment for an aggressive form of brain cancer. Thursday, multiple media reports said White House communications staffer Kelly Sadler dismissed concerns about McCain 's opposition to CIA nominee Gina Haspel, saying, "It doesn't matter, he's dying anyway."

In taking on high drug prices, Trump faces a complex nemesis

The populist rhetoric appears to be giving way to a more nuanced strategy focused on making the pharmaceutical market more open and competitive, with the aim of lowering costs for consumers. It's an approach that could avoid a direct confrontation with the powerful pharmaceutical lobby, but it could also underwhelm Americans seeking relief from escalating prescription costs.

Report: Legal marijuana linked to opioid-use declines amid drug crisis

Some states allowing medical marijuana and recreational pot saw declines in opioid prescribing as authorities pushed urgent efforts to combat the historic American drug crisis. Medicaid patients, for example, are getting about 5.9 percent fewer prescription painkillers in medical marijuana states.

Wolf says he’ll veto GOP’s primary season ‘heartbeat’ abortion ban bill

Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday that he'll veto a House Republican's primary season attempt to chip away at abortion rights, calling it a "dangerous and unconscionable attack on women's healthcare." The legislation sponsored by Rep. Rick Saccone, of Allegheny County, would ban abortion at as early as six weeks, which is before most women even know they're pregnant.

Outsourcing at Kansas revenue department imperils dozens of IT jobs

Dozens of information technology employees face layoffs at the Kansas Department of Revenue in conjunction with a $50 million, 10-year contract to outsource development and operation of a new tax management computer system. The technical services deal with CGI, which has not previously been reported, would require a portion of agency employees targeted for layoffs to work side-by-side with CGI consultants prior to dismissal in August.

Orrin Hatch calls John McCain’s decision not to invite Trump to his funeral – ridiculous’

Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch called John McCain's decision not to invite President Donald Trump to his funeral "ridiculous" and urged the cancer-stricken senator to change his mind. Hatch blasted McCain's plans to invite Vice President Mike Pence instead of Trump, telling CNN, "I think that's ridiculous.

McCain’s critiques of Trump have president’s supporters angry and firing back

As Sen. John McCain remains in his home state recovering from surgery for an intestinal infection and undergoing treatment for brain cancer, he has mostly been receiving a stream of well wishes and tributes for his long career in public service. One faction that has been a notable exception are some of President Trump's staunch defenders.

Senator John McCain reportedly told the White House he does not want Donald Trump at his funeral

Sen. John McCain , who is battling an aggressive form of brain cancer, has reportedly told the White House he does not want President Donald Trump to go to his funeral. The Arizona Republican has instead requested that Vice President Mike Pence attend in his place, according to NBC News.

As Trump prepares plan to lower drug prices, big pharma girds for a fight

Big Pharma is pouring money into a lobbying campaign to thwart any serious efforts to rein in prescription drug prices before a presidential speech this month where Trump plans to lay out his drug pricing proposals. "There is apprehension across the industry," said Bruce Artim, who retired recently after 11 years as the director of federal affairs at Eli Lilly and Co.

McCain gets visits from friends, family after surgery

By LAURIE KELLMAN, ALAN FRAM and BOB CHRISTIE, Associated Press WASHINGTON - A frail Sen. John McCain has been receiving a stream of visitors and good wishes at his Arizona ranch as he confronts the aftermath of brain cancer treatment and surgery. Former Vice President Joe Biden sat with McCain for 90 minutes last Sunday, according to people close to both men.

Michigan may be next to set Medicaid work, training rules

Four years after agreeing to expand Medicaid to cover more low-income adults, Michigan Republicans want an estimated 350,000 enrollees who are not working to get a job - or, at the very least, to start preparing to enter the labor force. Their aim is threefold: to rein in a massive, costly government health insurance program they say has grown far beyond its basic mission, to help businesses fill job openings and to reinforce the importance of work for abled-bodied people.