Barack Obama News
Read news, analysis, and commentary on Barack Obama, his administration’s legacy, and his continuing impact on national debates.
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opinion
Mattis Should Hit Pause on Obama-Era Decision to Let Transgender Individuals Serve in Military
Secretary of Defense James Mattis has an important decision to make soon, which may have significant readiness implications for the armed forces On June 30, 2016, then-Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter announced a change in policy to allow transgender individuals to serve openly in the U.S. armed forces, effective at the latest by July 1,… -
news
In Aftermath of New Study, GOP Furthers Resolve to Replace Obamacare
The American Health Care Act is in the hands of the Senate, where Republican lawmakers sound positive about the task of drafting their version of the Obamacare repeal legislation. “We’re continuing to work on policy outcomes to bring the conference together, and most critically to lower health insurance premiums so that health care is more… -
news
In 3 Charts, the Biggest Revelations From New Obamacare Study
Health care costs continue to rise under Obamacare. A report released Tuesday by the Department of Health and Human Services shows a significant hike in the average cost of individual plans since 2013 in 39 states. In 2013, the average annual cost of a premium for an individual health care plan was $2,784. By 2017,… -
news
Premiums Doubled Once Obamacare Took Full Effect, Report Says
Obamacare introduced new regulations into the health care marketplace that contributed to premiums doubling after the legislation took full effect in 2014, according to a report the Department of Health and Human Services released Tuesday evening. HHS compared premiums in the exchange marketplaces in 2013, one year before Obamacare regulations took full effect, to premiums in… -
news
Obama Holdover Colluded With Unions to Pressure Congress on Budget Cuts
An Obama administration appointee with deep ties to labor unions promoted a grassroots campaign to reverse the Trump administration’s proposal to eliminate funding for the federal regulatory board he sits on. The Daily Caller News Foundation obtained emails that show Chemical Safety Board member Rick Engler worked with union activists to promote a grassroots campaign to… -
news
Federal Communication Commission Takes Steps to Undo Obama-Era Net Neutrality
The Federal Communications Commission voted 2-1 Thursday to start a process of undoing internet rules, commonly known as net neutrality, promulgated by the Obama-era FCC. Undoing the 2015 Open Internet Order would “encourage more investment in broadband [and] more innovation,” James Gattuso, a senior research fellow at The Heritage Foundation, told The Daily Signal in… -
opinion
I’m a Conservative Senator. Here Are Some Changes I Want to See in Obamacare Replacement
This week, a working group of United States senators began meeting on a biweekly basis to reach a consensus on how to repeal and replace Obamacare. We are still very early in the process, but it is clear already that there is much work to be done before we can find the votes needed to… -
opinion
Aetna’s Withdrawal From Exchanges Highlights Obamacare’s Inherent Problems
A major insurance company has decided to entirely withdraw from all of Obamacare‘s health insurance exchanges in 2018. According to the Washington Examiner, the experience with Obamacare has been a financial disaster for Aetna, one of the nation’s largest insurance companies. The insurance giant sustained almost $700 million in losses between 2014 and 2016, and… -
news
Aetna Ditches Obamacare Entirely
Aetna announced Wednesday that it will stop offering Obamacare exchange plans in 2018, making it the latest major health insurance provider to completely opt out of former President Barack Obama’s landmark health care legislation. The company cites massive losses among exchange participants and projects the problems to increase over the short term. Aetna will also… -
news
Faced With Angry Voters, House Republicans Get Cover on Airwaves for Obamacare Repeal Bill
House Republicans fielding questions from constituents over their bill repealing and replacing Obamacare are getting some cover from GOP-aligned groups on the airwaves and online. Republican lawmakers passed their health care bill last week and headed home to their districts for a weeklong recess. Upon arriving home, some GOP lawmakers are hosting town halls, where… -
news
As Senate Mulls Obamacare Repeal, Insurers in 2 States Ask Double-Digit Premium Hikes
Consumers in at least two states face the prospect of double-digit increases in health insurance rates next year, as insurers attempt to price premiums amid uncertainty, including from Congress and President Donald Trump on the fate of Obamacare. Also driving rate increases is the fact that the millions of Americans enrolled on Obamacare’s exchanges are… -
news
How Court Reviewing Challenge to Trump’s Travel Ban Swung Left Under Obama
The federal appeals court deciding the constitutionality of President Donald Trump’s travel ban was once reliably conservative. But it underwent a transformation during the Obama administration, and Democratic appointees now outnumber Republican appointees 2 to 1. A New York Times Magazine article in March 2003 vividly described the Richmond, Virginia-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit… -
news
Here Are the Challenges Facing the Senate After House Passes Obamacare Replacement Bill
Republicans cleared a major hurdle on Thursday in advancing their proposal repealing and replacing Obamacare. But the House GOP’s health care bill is likely to see major changes in the Senate, where Republicans must contend with strict budget rules and slim margins to pass the legislation. The House passed the American Health Care Act by… -
news
Find Out Which Republicans Voted Against House’s Obamacare Replacement Bill
The House of Representatives voted by a razor-thin 217-213 to pass Republicans’ revised Obamacare replacement bill and move it to the Senate, where more changes are expected. House Speaker Paul Ryan needed 216 votes to pass the legislation, and 20 GOP members voted no Thursday along with all 193 Democrats. BREAKING NEWS → The House of… -
opinion
The House Acts on Obamacare. Time for the Senate to Follow Suit.
By passing the American Health Care Act by a vote of 217-213, the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a major step in the process of repealing and replacing Obamacare. It’s now time for the Senate to act. In paving the way for successful House floor action, the House Rules Committee adopted an amendment enabling… -
news
Conservatives Back Newest Changes to Health Care Bill as House Moves Closer to Obamacare Repeal
House Republicans are inching closer to a vote on the GOP’s revised health care bill following the addition of an amendment that gained the support of two prominent Republicans, and maintained the backing of conservatives. Reps. Fred Upton, R-Mich., and Billy Long, R-Mo., negotiated the terms of the amendment with President Donald Trump during a… -
opinion
The First Step in Revoking Obama’s Land Grab
What is done by executive power can be undone by executive power. Former President Barack Obama began to learn that lesson this Wednesday when President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke to conduct a review of all Antiquities Act designations larger than 100,000 acres over the past 30 years. Specifically,… -
news
What You Need to Know About the Obamacare Subsidies at the Center of the Health Care Debate
While Republicans and Democrats negotiated a government spending bill this week, another form of financial assistance that aims to help low-income Americans under Obamacare has been at the center of a debate involving insurance companies, consumers, and President Donald Trump. These subsidies aren’t the tax credits implemented under the health care law, which lower the… -
news
Trump’s Agriculture Chief Tosses Out Michelle Obama’s School Lunch Rules
Former first lady Michelle Obama’s dictates on school lunches were thrown out Monday by one of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet members. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue signed a proclamation to begin to undo federal standards that the Obama administration placed on lunches in public schools and return those decisions to local schools. “This announcement is the… -
opinion
We Hear You: ‘No More Reasons Why Congress Can’t Totally Repeal Obamacare’
Editor's note: Republicans' failure to repeal Obamacare after assuming control of the White House as well as Congress registered strongly with our audience in recent days. The day after President Trump's 100th day in office, today's mailbag leads off with two related letters, one signed by 17 GOP and grassroots activists in Pennsylvania.—Ken McIntyre Dear Daily Signal: Since…