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Articles by Tom Howell Jr.

**FILE** Marilyn B. Tavenner (Associated Press)

Senate approves new Medicare/Medicaid chief

The Senate on Wednesday approved President Obama's pick to lead the nation's Medicare agency, sending it a permanent leader for the first time in several years as the nation inches closer to sweeping health care reforms. Marilyn B. Tavenner enjoyed bipartisan support at the committee level before the full chamber voted, 91-7, to confirm her as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

May 15, 2013
Florida Gov. Rick Scott has argued that the Medicaid expansion is the right thing to do, morally and economically, placing him at odds with some right-leaning politicians in his state. (associated press)

Conservative lawmakers, governors at odds over expanding Medicaid

Time is running out for states to decide whether they will expand their Medicaid programs under President Obama's health law — a decision that pits governors who think it is too good of a deal to pass up against conservative lawmakers who see it as a budget-busting gamble.

May 14, 2013
**FILE** Sen. Max Baucus, Montana Democrat, addresses the state Legislature in Helena on Jan. 10, 2013. (Associated Press/The Independent Record)

Senate leaders: It’s time to fix doctor Medicare payments

Top federal lawmakers say the time has come to overhaul the way physicians are paid under Medicare, a long-standing problem that encourages medical providers to offer more procedures instead of seeking to improve the quality of care.

May 14, 2013
Sen. Ron Wyden, Oregon Democrat, noted that helium is "a critical resource for a number of important sectors of the American economy," including semiconductors and fiber optics. (Associated Press)

Bipartisanship surfaces on issue of helium reserve

Federal lawmakers from both parties say they're eager to scale down the nation's helium reserve without disrupting the supply chain, a seemingly arcane effort that is so urgent it may "rise above" the partisan rancor on Capitol Hill.

May 7, 2013
**FILE** Sen. Tom Harkin, Iowa Democrat (Associated Press)

Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin drops block on Obama Medicare nominee

Sen. Tom Harkin said he will remove his hold on President Obama's pick to lead the nation's Medicare agency, but the powerful Iowa Democrat said Tuesday he is still not happy with the administration's "penny-wise, pound-foolish" tendency to raid a fund designated for preventative health programs.

May 7, 2013
** FILE ** Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on Friday, April 12, 2013, before a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on President Obama's budget proposal for the HHS for fiscal 2014. (Associated Press)

Pediatric PR: Sebelius tells pediatricians to promote ‘Obamacare’

President Obama's top health official asked the nation's pediatric groups on Monday to spread the word about benefits within the federal health care law, a plea that coincides with mounting pressure to implement the ambitious overhaul before its main provisions kick in next year.

May 6, 2013
Rudolph W. Giuliani

Giuliani: Boston bombings show threat of homegrown jihadists

Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani said the Obama administration should ratchet up its focus on homegrown terrorists and their links to overseas jihadists despite the death of Osama bin Laden, citing the Boston Marathon bombings as a reminder that radicalized Islam is a constant threat.

May 5, 2013
**FILE** Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican (Associated Press)

Israeli airstrikes on Syria put Obama at the crossroads

As Israeli planes hit targets in Syria for the second time in three days, some Republicans on Sunday ramped up their calls for President Obama to take stronger measures against the Assad regime — but the White House response was muted.

May 5, 2013