The shortest honeymoon on record officially is over. Normally, newly elected presidents enjoy a wave of goodwill that allows them to fly high at least through their first 100 days.
Category: US News
Personalized IRS letters nudge uninsured to get coverage
If you haven’t signed up for health insurance, you may soon be getting a not-too-subtle nudge from the taxman. The IRS is sending personalized letters to millions of taxpayers who might be uninsured, reminding them that they could be on the hook for hundreds of dollars in fines under the federal health care law if they don’t sign up soon through HealthCare.gov.
Candidate Trump said he wouldn’t cut Medicaid, looks like another lie
… this approach states would receive capped payments. Since the size of the block grants would grow more slowly than health cost inflation, this would increasingly shift costs onto state budgets over the years, especially during recessions. [a ] …
Republicans take first steps to repealing Obamacare, but the hard part comes next
… after each GOP speech, Democrats reminded lawmakers of how many hundreds of thousands of Americans might lose their health care coverage in that lawmaker’s state if Obamacare is repealed – more than 580,000, for example, in Georgia. But the …
US Congress approves first step for repealing Obamacare
The US House of Representatives on Friday joined the Senate in passing a critical measure that marks the first major step toward repealing outgoing President Barack Obama’s landmark but controversial health care reforms. Speaker of the House Paul Ryan arrives for his weekly news conference in the Capitol Visitors Center at the U.S. Capitol January 12, 2017 in Washington, DC.
IRS letters nudge uninsured to get coverage
WASHINGTON  - If you haven’t signed up for health insurance, you may soon be getting a not-too-subtle nudge from the taxman. The IRS is sending personalized letters to millions of taxpayers who might be uninsured, reminding them that they could be on the hook for hundreds of dollars in fines under the federal health care law if they don’t sign up soon through HealthCare.gov.
The biggest changes Obamacare made, and those that may disappear
… the law. Because they are using a special budget process, Republicans won’t be able to repeal all provisions of the health law. But it seems like a good time to look at the major changes Obamacare brought to health care, which of those changes may …
Vets exposed to contaminated water may now apply for disability benefits
… “to receive the care and benefits they earned.” Beginning in March, the disability benefits may supplement VA health care already being provided to eligible veterans who were stationed at the Marine base for at least 30 cumulative days between Aug. …
Trump’s HHS Nominee Got A Sweetheart Deal From A Foreign Biotech Firm
… $2. One of the beneficiaries was Rep. Tom Price, a Georgia Republican poised to become secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, which regulates pharmaceuticals. Price told HHS ethics officials Thursday that if appointed, he will …
The House just took another major step toward repealing Obamacare
… us the tools we need for a step-by-step approach to fix these problems and put Americans back in control of their health care.” The vote had a sliver bit of doubt after Sen. Rand Paul tried to bring together Republicans to reject the bill over …
new US agrees to pay billions to Marines affected by toxic water
The Obama administration has agreed to provide disability benefits totaling more than $2 billion to veterans who had been exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Beginning in March, the cash payouts from the Department of Veterans Affairs may supplement VA health care already being provided to eligible veterans stationed at the Marine base for at least 30 days cumulative between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.
U.S. House votes to begin repealing Obamacare
… about not having a ready replacement and the potential financial cost of repealing President Barack Obama’s landmark health insurance law. The House voted 227-198 to instruct committees to draft legislation by a target date of Jan. 27 that would …
GOP House Takes Next Step Toward Taking Healthcare Away From Millions
… way for ACA repeal, “despite lingering wariness from the rank-and-file about proceeding without a plan to replace the health law,” as Politico reported . The Senate passed its version of the resolution in the wee hours of Thursday. The legislation …
Trump’s HHS Nominee Got a Sweetheart Drug Stock Deal
… One of the beneficiaries was Rep. Tom Price, a Georgia Republican nominated to become secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, which regulates pharmaceuticals. Price told HHS ethics officials Thursday that if appointed, he will …
As Obamacare Repeal Heats Up, Newly Insured North Carolinians Fret
… 2016 election, she was scared she’d lose her insurance immediately. For years, Republicans have vowed to scrap the health care law. The new Congress is working on a plan to undo the Affordable Care Act. But they have not settled on how to replace …
US agrees to pay billions to Marines affected by toxic water
After years of wait, veterans who had been exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina may now be able to receive a portion of government disability benefits totaling more than $2 billion. Beginning in March, the cash payouts from the Department of Veterans Affairs may supplement VA health care already being provided to eligible veterans stationed at the Marine base for at least 30 days cumulative between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.
As Others See It: Another attack on women’s rights
… tissue. With a Republican majority in Congress and a staunch abortion opponent about to take over the Department of Health and Human Services, there is a real possibility this recommendation could become policy. The goal here, to be clear, is to …
Love Is Always Scarpering, Or Cowering, Or Fawning
It is very difficult to have a working understanding of health policy and simultaneously be impressed by his answers on ACA. https://t.co/NTdpL9gTIw You can watch Ryan’s comments about health care yourself, but they’re evasive gibberish when they’re not outright dishonest.
CVS generic competitor to EpiPen, sold at a 6th the price
Health insurance giant Cigna said it will no longer cover Mylan’s EpiPen, which had been subject the a controversial price hike in 2016. Amid the negative press, Mylan ended up offering a coupon to reduce the drug’s price.
Montana would feel pain of ACA repeal
Montana Medicaid Who are 61,233 Montanans that enrolled in Medicaid under the HELP Act between Jan. 1 and Nov. 15, 2016? According to data from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services: 66 percent are extremely poor with incomes below 50 percent of poverty.
Sen. Alexander: Congress Needs to – Rescue’ 11 Million Americans on Obamacare Before Repealing It
The Affordable Care Act , commonly known as Obamacare, should be repealed and replaced, but only after Congress “rescues” the 11 million Americans who currently buy health insurance on the Obamacare exchanges, Senate Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander said in a speech on the Senate floor on Tuesday. President-elect Donald Trump and House Speaker Paul Ryan have both said that Obamacare should be repealed and replaced ” simultaneously ” or ” concurrently “.
Obama administration to pay billions to Marines affected by toxic water
The Obama administration has agreed to provide disability benefits totaling more than $2 billion to veterans who had been exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. Beginning in March, the cash payouts from the Department of Veterans Affairs may supplement VA health care already being provided to eligible veterans stationed at the Marine base for at least 30 days cumulative between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987.
CVS puts out generic competitor to EpiPen at a 6th the price
… generic version of Adrenaclick, a lesser-known treatment compared to EpiPen, which can cost more than $600. CVS Health Corp., the nation’s second-largest drugstore chain, says it cut the price it charges for the generic version of Adrenaclick nearly …
politicsSenators Take the First Step Toward Obamacare RepealWhile you slept. Ed Kilgore
… amendments as non-germane to a budget resolution (most of them actually sought to safeguard this or that program or health-care service from being cut or eliminated in the subsequent reconciliation bill). That meant 60 votes were needed to waive the …
Democrats, GOP members blast Republican senators’ efforts to dismantle health care
Republicans in Congress rammed through a budget resolution on Wednesday night to force both the Senate and House of Representatives to begin repealing large parts of the Affordable Care Act. In the process, Democrats forced Republicans to block measures that would protect Medicare, Medicaid, mental-health services and womens’ access to health care.
Health care battle cheat sheet: Democrats vs. GOP
After decades of circling each other, the Democrats gained the upper hand in 2010, making their philosophy of universal health care coverage the law of the land. They called it the Affordable Care Act.
OpinionNational debt is our biggest security threatNational debt is…
… he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s top military man, was enlightened enough about long-term health of American power to realize that it takes continuing infusions of money to acquire the weapons and equipment, personnel, …
The Senate Just Took Its First Step Toward Repealing Obamacare
The Senate early Thursday passed a measure to take the first step forward on dismantling President Barack Obama’s health care law, responding to pressure to move quickly even as Republicans and President-elect Trump grapple with what to replace it with. The nearly party-line 51-48 vote came on a nonbinding Republican-backed budget measure that eases the way for action on subsequent repeal legislation as soon as next month.
Senate approves measure launching Obamacare repeal process
The U.S. Senate on Thursday took a first concrete step toward dismantling Obamacare, voting to instruct key committees to draft legislation repealing President Barack Obama’s signature health insurance program. File Photo: A boy waits in line at a health insurance enrollment event in Cudahy, California March 27, 2014.
Dave Brat On Obamacare: The Repeal Vote Is Bigger Than Health Care
Fiscal hawk Republican Rep. Dave Brat of Virginia said repealing Obamacare is bigger than just fixing the nation’s health care policy – it could help preserve entitlements for future generations. Brat, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, noted while President Barack Obama assured his landmark health-care legislation would drive down costs, it has done the opposite, which is taking its toll on entitlement programs.
With pizza and Red Bull, Senate settles in for a long battle over Obamacare
Senate Democrats might not be able to stop Republicans from tearing up President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, but they were seeking late Wednesday to make it as uncomfortable as possible. Taking advantage of an arcane Senate tradition known as a “vote-a-rama,” party leaders were prepared to go late into the night to force Republicans to take votes on popular provisions of the 2010 Affordable Care Act, warning that the party could spark chaos by repealing the legislation that has extended health insurance to millions.
Sen. Blumenthal on Sessions’ Character: He’s – Well Respected and Liked in the U.S. Senate’
… nce me that he will be a real champion and zealous advocate for civil rights and liberties and a protector of women’s health care and religious freedoms,” Blumenthal said.
Why so many uncertainties still surround the fate of ACA
… a marathon session during which the Senate will consider dozens of amendments. Many of these amendments will be health care-related but few of them will actually become law, and the passed resolution will then move to the House for its …
Negotiating drug prices
… (formally, consumer surplus) to beneficiaries due to tightening Part D formularies to the level found in the Veterans Health Administration (VA). (A formulary is a list of drugs covered by a health plan.) We measure formulary generosity as the …
politicsThe Way to Save Democracy Attack Donald Trump on economics. Jonathan Chait
… if you think of the problem as though Trump has rigged firebombs to destroy the Constitution in one location and health insurance for 20 million people in another, and opponents face the diabolical question of choosing which one to save: But the …
marathon votes
… wastes money. That’s not attacking Medicaid-that’s attacking the men and women and children who rely on it for their health care. And guess what, Sen. Hatch, many of those people ARE working in jobs that pay too little to allow for health insurance. …
SC Rep. Trey Gowdy releases statement on passing of Obamacare repeal resolution
… is now the sole provider of Obamacare in South Carolina. Millions of Americans are quickly being forced off of their health insurance plans, contrary to President Obama promising if you like your health care plan, you can keep it. Today’s vote is …
Richard Davis: How will Barack Obama be remembered?
… Another distinction will be Obamacare. A main goal of Obamacare was achieved: the percentage of Americans without health insurance has dropped precipitously. In 2009, more than 15 percent of Americans lacked health insurance, and therefore access to …
Richard Davis: How will Barack Obama be remembered?
… Another distinction will be Obamacare. A main goal of Obamacare was achieved: the percentage of Americans without health insurance has dropped precipitously. In 2009, more than 15 percent of Americans lacked health insurance, and therefore access to …
Drug company exec: ‘We’re hated’ for a reason
… to advance that idea, with Republican majorities in Congress and conservative Tom Price as head of the Department of Health and Human Services. But Trump, known for his populist appeal, may push for other measure putting downward pressure on …