Topic: Medicaid
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
-
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).
-
Focus
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.
All Content
-
Analysts: Expect a bitter health care fight if GOP wins
If Republicans regain power this fall, you can expect a fierce battle over repealing all or part of the health care overhaul, say analysts.
-
Medicare fraud, gun rights to influence Florida top lawyer race
Medicare fraud, public corruption, gun rights, and immigration are being used by three conservative Republicans and two Democrats to distinguish themselves.
-
Governors' races 101: What's at stake outside Washington in 2010 election
Governors' races are happening in 37 states in the 2010 election. The candidates focus on different issues depending on their states, but one stands out – state budget deficits.
-
House approves jobs bill: Do states deserve $26 billion more stimulus?
The House of Representatives cut short its August recess to return to Washington and pass a state jobs bill Tuesday. Supporters say the bill is much-needed additional stimulus; detractors argue that it has too little money to really make a dent in states' budget problems.
-
Jobs bill will help teachers, public workers
Jobs bill worth $26 billion has unmistakable implications for November congressional elections.
-
Senate approves funding to keep 140,000 teachers' jobs
Senators approved $10 billion in funding Thursday that will keep 140,000 teachers' jobs. The House, which is being called back from August recess by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, is expected to approve the funding next week.
-
Senate set to pass $26 billion rescue package for states
Cities and states warned of devastating cuts if Congress didn't approve $26 billion in help for Medicaid and teachers. The Senate should pass it Thursday and the House next week.
-
Missouri voters stage revolt against Obama health-care reform
They approved a ballot measure designed to let them ignore the part of the Obama health-care reform law that requires people to buy insurance. More than 70 percent of Missouri voters backed it in Tuesday's vote.
-
Why arguments for extending the Bush tax cuts are misguided
The argument for extending the high-end tax cuts have gone wobbly. It would be more convincing if the Republican line were something other than “no new taxes, ever.” The economic and fiscal circumstances may change, but the prescription remains the same.
-
Will state budget cuts blunt the recovery?
State and city budget cuts could offset the federal stimulus's effects.
-
In defense of the CLASS Act
CLASS could be a step toward responsible reform in the way we pay for long-term care in the US; providing care for 10 million Americans and saving the government billions.
-
The Tim Pawlenty story: Next stop, the White House?
At a Monitor breakfast with reporters, the Republican governor from Minnesota points proudly to his roots from working-class St. Paul. As a potential presidential candidate, he breaks the GOP stereotype. Biography matters in politics. But America's in a crunch, and solutions matter more.
-
Why is 'entitlement' a dirty word?
Call entitlements what you like. The US isn't charging enough for membership for this rewards program.
-
Boost jobs or cut the deficit? US can do both.
Lawmakers face the difficult task of tackling the budget deficit without endangering the recovery. One way to do so is to make government more efficient.
-
Why governing Americans is so hard
Our demands on policymakers are so inconsistent and irrational that we make governing nearly impossible.
-
As state governors meet, a scorecard on states' challenges
State governors are entering a weekend of talks in Boston about policy matters. Here are four indicators of the 'state of the states.'
-
Obama administration walks tricky political line on gay marriage ban
President Obama has pledged to overturn the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which bars the federal government from recognizing gay marriage. But his Justice Department is defending the law’s constitutionality in court.
-
Emptier prisons: Inmate population drops for first time in 40 years
The number of inmates in state prisons declined in 2009 after a long upswing. Efforts to control skyrocketing corrections budgets are a key reason.
-
Gay marriage ban unconstitutional, rules federal judge in Boston
Gay marriage: In Boston, US District Judge Joseph Tauro ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional because it forces Massachusetts to discriminate against its own citizens by denying them some federal benefits.
-
Not-so-happy new year to the states
States have gone on diets, cutting spending two years running, and more than 30 have raised taxes and fees. The National Council of State Legislatures estimates that states are starting the current fiscal year with an aggregate $89 billion deficit.
-
Slouching toward a double dip
With private sector job growth sluggish and public sector job cuts increasing, are we sliding towards a double dip recession?
-
New state budget plans burdened by recession, pension costs
States have launched into their 2011 fiscal year saddled with many of the same state budget problems that they had the year before. Forty-six states have a fiscal year that starts July 1.
-
Healthcare.gov: How to figure out your health care options
Healthcare.gov is a new federal website launched Thursday. It’s a central repository for news and information about the sweeping health care reform law.
-
New Obama-backed stimulus package fails in Senate vote
A dozen Senate Democrats joined Republicans in voting against a stimulus package that would add about $80 billion to the deficit. President Obama says it will save state and local jobs.
-
Even if New York averts government shutdown, its budget woes escalate
New York State lawmakers are likely to approve another short-term fix to prevent a threatened government shutdown. Delay in closing an $8.5 billion budget gap is only making things worse, some analysts say.
Previous
Become part of the Monitor community