Topic: Medicaid

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If not 'sequester,' then what? Five ideas from left and right.

Few in Washington believe that "the sequester,” $85 billion in automatic spending cuts set to hit the federal budget as of March 1, is a good idea. But what's the alternative? Here are five proposals, from the right, the center, and the left, to replace the sequester. Which do you like?
Sequester 101: What happens if $85 billion in cuts hit on March 1

The sequester is a complex concept with a tortuous history. Here are the basics on the automatic spending reductions set to kick in March 1.
Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill

A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
How much do you know about US entitlement programs? Take our quiz.

The push to reform entitlement programs is at the heart of debates about the future of the US budget. They include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (welfare).
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The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012

From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.

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GOP budget plan passes committee on party-line vote

The House budget committee passed the plan 19-18; two Republicans voted against the bill because it didn't go far enough.
The Monitor's View: Supreme Court and health care law: state sovereignty at stake

The Supreme Court hears various challenges to the health-care law next week. While the individual mandate will be the focus, state sovereignty is also at stake, especially in state reform of health care.
Tax VOX Ryan's mystery meat budget

House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) released a fiscal plan that promises trillions of dollars in tax cuts and a nearly balanced budget within a decade, but never says how he'd get there.
Paul Ryan releases new GOP budget plan: What's in it?

The Republican House budget, released by Rep. Paul Ryan, scales back Medicare reforms that hurt GOP candidates last year, but sharpens contrast with President Obama on debt.
Will Mitt Romney lose women voters over Planned Parenthood remark?

Mitt Romney said he would 'get rid' of Planned Parenthood. Later Romney campaign officials said Romney meant he would cut federal funding to it. Democrats are pouncing on the Planned Parenthood statement.
Mitt Romney's new economic plan: Did it just fizzle?

The economic plan unveiled by Mitt Romney Friday offered details on tax reform and Social Security, but several gaffes and a lack of energy could overshadow its content.
Can the national debt be cut? How Republican candidates' plans compare.

Here's a comparative look at the candidates based on the group's numbers.
Keen on slashing the national debt? Ron Paul is your man.

Ron Paul ranks as the one candidate among four whose announced policies would leave America with a lower national debt than it would have under a status quo course, according to a new analysis.
Indiana lawmaker slams 'radicalized' pro-abortion group. Yes, Girl Scouts.

Bob Morris, a member of the Indiana House, also called the Girl Scouts 'a tactical arm of Planned Parenthood' in a letter urging lawmakers not to mark the Girl Scouts' 100th anniversary.
Payroll tax deal: Congress moves toward agreement

Payroll tax cut, long-term unemployment benefits would be preserved under a bipartisan deal. But negotiators won't predict whether Congress will pass the payroll tax deal by Friday.
8 ways to find common ground

Gridlock plagues Washington. Polarizing soundbytes get constant play in the 24/7 news cycle. The culture wars rage on. But these Monitor op-ed writers suggest there’s more common ground than meets the eye. Here are eight powerful perspectives on the possibilities for meeting in the middle.
Health-care fraud crackdown nets $4.1b. Is that a lot?

Officials say nearly $4.1b was recovered last year in the health-care fraud crackdown, an Obama priority, but it's unclear if that reflects the success of law enforcement or the magnitude of the problem.
The Daily Reckoning Why US job creation heats up in the winter

The Labor Department routinely adjust jobs upward in winter, to make up for bad weather. So when there isn’t any bad weather in January, the job numbers go up automatically.
Tax VOX Should states use tax breaks to woo seniors?

State competition to provide tax breaks to older residents, especially wealthy seniors, is similar to the way states use tax subsidies to woo businesses. It may not make much sense, but it sure is trendy.
On the Economy What Mitt Romney's 'poor' gaffe really means

What Romney seems to have meant is that he believes the least-well-off are amply provided for by the safety net. Too bad he wants to shred it.
Romney actually wants to help 'poor people,' and the right isn't happy

Conservative pundits are ripping Mitt Romney over his stated willingness to fix the safety net for poor people who are 'falling through the cracks.' Why didn't he renounce dependency on government? they ask.
The Vote Mitt Romney's 'poor' choice of words: Who's really struggling in America?

Mitt Romney was in damage-control mode Wednesday after the multimillionaire candidate said he's 'not concerned about the very poor.' He said he's concerned about those who are 'struggling.'
Did Mitt Romney just disrespect poor Americans?

Mitt Romney told CNN 'I'm not concerned about the very poor...' Will that come off sounding tone deaf? Or was it simply a quote taken out of context?
The Vote Did Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer disrespect President Obama? (+video)

Governor Jan Brewer was waiting at the bottom of the steps when President Obama alighted from Air Force One Wednesday. The two could be seen talking over each other at times.
Transcript of the State of the Union

President Obama's speech, as prepared for delivery by the White House.
Tax VOX Fixing the budget means higher taxes

If we really are going to reduce the federal deficit, new tax revenues must be part of the solution.
Opinion: Thanks to Occupy, rich-poor gap is front and center. See Mitt Romney's tax return.

Thanks to the Occupy movement and information easily disseminated on the Internet, Americans are better informed about the rich-poor gap. The issue will continue to figure prominently in this election. Case in point: The hoopla over Mitt Romney's tax return.
Rick Santorum delivers serious smackdown on 'Romneycare'

Rick Santorum launched his most cogent attack on Gov. Mitt Romney's health care program in Massachusetts, during Thursday's South Carolina debate.
Tax VOX A federal umbrella for state rainy days?

If states were characters from Aesop’s Fables, they’d be more grasshopper than ant. With a little help from the federal government, maybe more states could find their inner ant.
Economist Mom Despite his words, Romney's policies are terrible for the poor

Mitt Romney claims to be "concerned" about the poor, but his policy proposals would seriously damage the social safety net that helps the country's poor survive.