Topic: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act

Mitt Romney sits for an interview, and not just on Fox News

Mitt Romney sat down for an interview on 'Face the Nation,' fielding hard balls not typically thrown at him on Fox News. Meanwhile, Obama strategist David Plouffe darted among four other Sunday talk shows, zinging Romney and defending Obama's controversial moves.

Republicans, Democrats jockey before Supreme Court health-care ruling

The political world is waiting for the Supreme Court to hand down its ruling on President Obama’s sweeping reform of the health-insurance system. A decision could come as early as Monday.  

Tax VOX Talking heads: Candidates have big speeches, little vision

Obama vs. Romney in Ohio: what dueling speeches were all about (+video)

In back-to-back speeches in different parts of battleground Ohio, Mitt Romney sought to cast President Obama as hurting business, and Obama sought to move past two tough weeks.

Robert Reich Obamacare: a compromise on the individual mandate

Most experts think that the Supreme Court will strike down the individual mandate portion of Obamacare, leaving the rest of the law intact. But if that happens, insurance companies will claim they can't insure pre-existing conditions. Is there a compromise?

Wounded aide wins Giffords' seat in Arizona election

Ron Barber, who was wounded in the shooting, won the special election on Tuesday night. 

Robert Reich The Supreme Court's unpopularity could help Obamacare

The US Supreme Court is facing growing disdain from the American public, increasing the odds that the majority will uphold constitutionality of President Obama's health care mandate.  

Why did Rand Paul forsake his dad Ron Paul for Mitt Romney?

Sen. Ran Paul endorsed Mitt Romney for president this week, even though his father Ron Paul has not formally dropped out of the race. Publicly backing Romney at this point – though it’s left many libertarians steaming – could help him in the long run.

Romney, Obama send out troops to spin the bad news on jobs

The latest news on US employment is grim – fewer jobs created than expected and an unemployment rate that ticked up to 8.2 percent. On Sunday, the Obama and Romney campaigns sent surrogates to spin the news on TV talk shows.

Opinion: With 'God on their side,' Romney and Republicans may very well prevail

Mitt Romney's Texas primary win secured him the Republican nomination. Now the GOP wants the support of every major US religion. Mormons, Jews, and Catholics identify with the party in increasing numbers. That helps Republicans erode the Democratic base.

What Congress has planned after Memorial Day

Congress will be racing to complete a number of priorities between Memorial Day and the August recess, all under the shadow of massive fiscal issues looming at year's end.

'Day One': What Mitt Romney's new ad really tells us

Mitt Romney's first TV ad of the general election bypasses the usual personal narrative to give us his agenda for Day 1 in office: the Keystone pipeline, tax reform, and replacing 'Obamacare.'

Romney's former rivals gloss over earlier anti-Romney remarks

One by one — with the exception of holdout Ron Paul — the GOP also-rans have coughed up endorsements of their onetime rival.

Donald Marron What is medicare 'double counting,' and why are budget experts fighting over it?

A new study of the Affordable Care Act finds peculiar Medicare budgeting practices, including counting spending cuts and revenue increases twice. It's causing a stir among budget experts.

The Vote Rick Santorum tells Jay Leno why Romney endorsement was 'buried' (+video)

Rick Santorum told 'Tonight Show' host Jay Leno, 'This was a letter to my supporters – who were for me.' Not Mitt Romney. The socially liberal Leno also pressed Mr. Santorum on cultural issues.

What Rick Santorum's lukewarm endorsement of Mitt Romney means (+video)

Nearly a month after exiting the presidential race, Rick Santorum endorsed Mitt Romney in the 13th paragraph of an e-mail sent to supporters late Monday. That's not exactly a show of enthusiasm for the Republican standard-bearer.

Battle for women's votes: 6 flash points

The uproar over the Obama campaign’s 'Life of Julia' Web infographic – which made #Julia big on Twitter – highlights just how fiercely both parties are fighting for the women’s vote. The economy is by far the most important issue in November for both sexes. But there are other areas with special significance to women. Here are the main flash points.

Supreme Court popularity hits new low. Will Obama attack?

Only 52 percent of the American public views the Supreme Court favorably. If the high court rules against Obama on health care or immigration he may be tempted to attack. But that would be risky.

US Senate race in Virginia shaping up as national battleground

In Virginia's US Senate race, Democrat Tim Kaine isn't Barack Obama, and Republican George Allen isn't Mitt Romney or the House GOP leadership. But you wouldn't know it from the special-interest ads pouring into this key battleground state.

Student loan bill? Not so fast.

Student loan bill, which would keep graduates' interest rate costs from doubling, gets caught up in election free-for-all. House passes student loan bill, despite Obama veto threat.

GOP-led House votes to keep rate low on student loans, as Obama balks

The White House says Obama will veto the House bill on student loans. It prefers a Senate measure that also helps debt-crushed students, but that covers the cost by closing a tax loophole benefiting the wealthy. 

Social Security fund: Cash gone in 2033

Social Security fund will run out three years earlier than earlier projections due to boomer retirements, weak economy. If Social Security fund runs out, retirees will get 75 percent of promised benefits.

Mitt Romney's five biggest liabilities as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the tables. So what exactly does Mitt Romney bring to the table, in both positive and negative ways? Here are the liabilities:

Mitt Romney's five biggest assets as GOP nominee

Typically, an election with an incumbent president on the ballot is a referendum on him. But President Obama is trying to turn the election into a choice, saying in effect that America's problems will get much worse under the other guy. So what does Mitt Romney bring to the table? Here are five assets. 

Orrin Hatch close call in Utah: Tea party rising?

Sen. Orrin Hatch is favored to win reelection, but first he faces a primary election against tea party favorite Dan Liljenquist. Can Hatch avoid the fate of former Utah Sen. Bob Bennett, ousted in 2010 by the tea party?