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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States face serious pension woes: $1 trillion short

States' pension woes only have grown worse in the past year, a new study by the Pew Center for the States finds. This problem can't be laid at the door of the recession.
Healthcare reform backlash: Americans angry over earmarks

Healthcare reform legislation often means cutting 'deals,' but public anger over earmarks may further gridlock healthcare reform.
Obama's federal budget: What's in it for cities?

President Obama's federal budget includes proposals to increase housing assistance and boost programs that help low-income Americans. That's good news for cities.
Democrats' scramble to beat new deadline: Scott Brown's arrival

Senate Democrats raised the debt ceiling to $14.3 trillion and passed a pay-as-you-go measure Thursday. Both needed 60 votes. But a bid to cap federal spending exposed different fault lines.
State of the Union address -- President Obama's full remarks

Full text of President Obama's State of the Union address
Four charged in incident at Mary Landrieu’s office. Watergate 2?

James O’Keefe and three others are accused of attempted phone tampering in an office for Sen. Mary Landrieu. Liberals are likening the incident to the Watergate break-in.
What Wall Street wants from Obama in State of the Union address

President Obama has responded to recent setbacks by striking a more populist tone, and his primary target has been Wall Street. Bankers are hoping he takes a more inclusive line in his State of the Union address Wednesday.
Don't let America's red ink scare you

America is running a hefty budget deficit but fret not. The deficit sky is not yet falling.
How much would Obama's spending freeze trim US deficits? Not a lot.

President Obama's spending freeze proposal, outlined Tuesday, would apply to only about one-sixth of the federal budget. But at least it would be a first step, say some budget experts.
The Monitor's View: The Senate’s opportunity to reduce the deficit

It should support a bipartisan commission to secure the country’s fiscal future.
Opinion: A cure for Washington’s culture of debt

Zero-based budgeting might restore discipline and honesty to a Washington that seems overcome with financial attention-deficit disorder.
With Scott Brown's election, healthcare ball in Pelosi's court

Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House would not approve the Senate-passed bill. But Scott Brown's vote might make it impossible to get a House-modified bill back through the Senate.
Schwarzenegger goes to Washington to collect $6.9 billion

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is in Washington Wednesday to lobby for $6.9 billion in federal funds. The governor needs the money to help fill an almost $20 million budget hole and stave off cuts to services.
2010 Census: what you need to know

The 2010 US Census starts soon. At stake are billions of federal dollars – and maybe your representative's job.
Nebraska's sweet deal on healthcare reform could lead to lawsuit

Under a healthcare reform deal struck by Sen. Ben Nelson, Nebraska would be the only state that wouldn't have to pay for new Medicaid recipients. South Carolina's attorney general is threatening to file a legal challenge if the proviso is part of the final healthcare bill.
Opinion: Best move for the GOP: Embrace the center

The middle gives the Republican Party the best hope of curbing Democratic excess.
Schwarzenegger presses for more aid from Washington

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers are asking for about $8 billion in aid from Washington to help plug California 's $20 billion-odd budget hole and prevent more spending cuts.
Senate health care vote: 'defining' moment or 'abomination'?

Seldom, if ever, in US history has the partisan divide on such a big legislative step been so stark. The 60-to-39 Senate health care vote along party lines may make it far more difficult for the Senate to work on issues that lie ahead.
Health care bill 2009: what happens next

President Obama hailed a key vote in the health care bill Monday morning. Several more Senate votes remain before a potential conference committee could take up the legislation.
GOP's last bullet in healthcare reform battle: public opinion

Republicans have ratcheted up the rhetoric against the Senate healthcare reform bill during the past two days. They hope to capitalize on public doubts about healthcare reform.
Why has Congress set a Christmas deadline for healthcare reform?

If the debacle of August's healthcare reform town halls told Democrats anything, it was this: Don't send your legislators back to their districts without a bill to defend.
What recovery? Budget deficits get worse for states.

Budget deficits for 2010 have worsened in 39 states in the past two or three months, according to a new analysis by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Joe Lieberman's line in the sand over Senate healthcare reform

Independent Sen. Joe Lieberman indicates he won't go for a healthcare reform bill with anything resembling a public option – including the Medicare buy-in compromise. If he prevails, what are the choices for liberals who want the public option?
Senators look for way to finesse healthcare public option

Under the healthcare public option plan being fashioned by Senate liberals and moderates, private nonprofit insurance plans would have to meet standards comparable to the options now offered federal employees.
Obama's job summit challenge: creating jobs on a budget

President Obama's job summit this week brings together CEOs and economists to brainstorm on how to bring down the unemployment rate. The challenge: creating jobs while trying to control record deficits.