affordable care act

• Commentary

Culleton: Marylander John Delaney a surprisingly impressive candidate

John Delaney has positioned himself as a unifier, pledging that as president, he would work to resolve America’s increasing political polarization.

• Opinion

Witcover: First Democratic candidate forum was a weak semblance of a debate

The first Democratic candidate forum was a mish-mash of self promotion with little debate, says Jules Witcover.

By Jules Witcover

Jul 5, 2019

• Health

Maryland recoups money spent on botched health exchange rollout under settlement with IBM

Maryland will recoup millions spent on the disastrous roll-out of the state’s health exchange created under the Affordable Care Act.

By Meredith Cohn

Jun 14, 2019

• Opinion

In California, health care 'for all' means everyone — even undocumented immigrants

California takes a step toward making sure undocumented don't slip through health care cracks.

• Opinion

Why are we so afraid of single payer in Maryland?

Despite interest from advocacy groups and legislators, we are still working to establish some traction for single payer in Maryland. What are we afraid of?

• Opinion

Larry Hogan wants to help change the national GOP. Here are three places to start.

He won't run against Donald Trump, but Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan's experience gives him room to help move the Republican Party forward on several issues.

• Maryland

Letters: All the 'winning' we're doing; columnist obsessed with Trump; a delegate's mindset

Letters appearing in the June 4, 2019 Carroll County Times.

• Opinion

Here are the bills Gov. Hogan still might veto — and why he should sign them instead

Gov. Larry Hogan should sign legislation on clean energy, prescription drugs, Obamacare and more.

• Politics

Do you have health insurance? Gov. Hogan signs law to use tax return question to guide Marylanders to coverage

When Marylanders file their taxes next year, they'll face an extra question: "Do you have health insurance?"

By Pamela Wood

May 13, 2019

• Opinion

Maryland makes more progress on Obamacare rates — but there's more to do

Maryland got more good news on the rates on its Affordable Care Act exchange, but the battle to expand health insurance coverage isn't over.

• Health

Obamacare consumers in Maryland could see insurance premiums drop next year

Many people who buy health insurance on the state's exchange could see a drop in their premiums since officials took steps to stabilize the market.

By Meredith Cohn

May 10, 2019

• Commentary

Kennedy: Time for turnout locally, chaos continues nationally

With a four-way contest for mayor and three candidates for the two City Council posts, I am hoping for a turnout of well over the 20-plus percent that we had two years ago.

• Opinion

The more Americans learn about 'Medicare for All,' the less they like it

Every American deserves access to quality, affordable health care, but the one-size-fits-all “Medicare for All” is the wrong way to achieve that goal.

• Opinion

Witcover: America's pre-existing health condition: Donald Trump

Donald Trump is our nation's pre-existing condition, says Jules Witcover.

• Health

Maryland legislature passes laws to make health insurance enrollment easier and create drug price board

Several health bills passed the legislature this session, including one to make it easier for the uninsured to enroll in a plan, a board to control drug prices and extension of a tax to stabilize the insurance market.

• Opinion

General Assembly 2019: The pretty good, but... session

For the first year of a term, the Maryland General Assembly covered a lot of ground. But on issue after issue, it didn't quite accomplish enough.

• Commentary

Kennedy: No quick resolution to Mueller Report, health care reform

Why does Trump want to wait to formulate his health care plan? Could it be that, as with many of his pronouncements on issues — like climate change, foreign relations, and tariffs — he has no clue or plan? 

• Opinion

It's Maryland's chance to lead on drug prices

Although it has been watered down, legislation to establish a prescription drug affordability board would position Maryland as a leader in health care affordability.

• Opinion

Md. health insurance 'down payment' improvement over ACA mandate

As Washington politics continue to risk instability for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and health insurance markets, Maryland policy makers are working in a bipartisan manner in the best interests of the citizens of Maryland.

• Politics

State lawmakers consider using a penalty to coax more Marylanders into buying health insurance

State lawmakers and health organizations are pushing a bill that would require Marylanders to have health insurance, and charge them a penalty if they don’t — although the money could be used to buy insurance instead.

By Pamela Wood

Feb 13, 2019

• Politics

Judge dismisses Maryland suit to preserve Affordable Care Act, saying there's no firm evidence of impending harm

A federal judge has dismissed Maryland's attempt to protect the Affordable Care Act, known as "Obamacare," from any Trump administration efforts to dismantle it. The office of Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh had sought a declaration that the national health care act is constitutional.

By Jeff Barker

Feb 1, 2019

• Commentary

Zirpoli: Invest in our nation’s children   

Imagine what America could do if we invested $1.5 trillion in our children, instead of tax cuts going mainly to the rich. That kind of money could provide appropriate nutrition and preschool experiences to all of our nation’s children.

• Maryland

Rubin: We need new way to question candidates about policies

In the 2008 Democratic primary, Barack Obama ran against an individual mandate for health care coverage, which his rival Hillary Clinton supported. But Obama

• Opinion

Can Hogan lead the GOP sanity caucus in his second term?

Gov. Larry Hogan doesn't need to lead the anti-Trumpers or set himself up for a presidential bid in 2020. He just needs to look out for his constituents in a calm, rational way. That's as anti-Trump as it gets.

• Opinion

General Assembly 2019: What needs to happen this year and what can wait

The Sun editorial board's run-down of what needs to happen during this year's General Assembly session and what can wait for another year.

• Politics

Trump administration seeks to dismiss Baltimore's lawsuit for allegedly sabotaging Obamacare

The Trump administration is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit filed by several cities for allegedly sabotaging the Affordable Care Act.

• Opinion

Witcover: Obamacare ruling notwithstanding, Trump has nothing to show for health care promises

After two long years of fruitlessly trying to kill Obamacare, the Republican Party and President Trump have been given a political hand grenade by a federal judge in Texas to get the job done.

• Politics

In federal hearing, Maryland AG seeks to preserve Affordable Care Act, opposes acting U.S. attorney general

The Maryland attorney general's office is seeking to preserve its suit sustaining the Affordable Care Act while challenging the legality of Matthew Whitaker's appointment as acting U.S. attorney general.

By Jeff Barker

Dec 19, 2018

• Opinion

The ruling striking down Obamacare probably won't stand, but Maryland shouldn't take any chances

Just in case an off-the-wall Texas ruling throwing out the Affordable Care Act is upheld, Maryland should take some steps to protect its residents' health insurance coverage.

• Health

What does Texas ruling mean for Obamacare in Maryland?

A federal judge struck down the Affordable Health Care act in a ruling late Friday, concluding that the whole thing is unconstitutional. So what does the ruling mean for people in Maryland?

By Ian Duncan

Dec 15, 2018

• Health

State health exchange enrollment up, federal enrollment down in last week

The state health exchange enters its final week of this year’s open enrollment, and Marylanders appear more interested in buying health insurance than many Americans.

By Meredith Cohn

Dec 10, 2018

• Health Insurance

BlueCrossBlueShield CEO: Md. should consider insurance mandate

While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandated that individuals buy health insurance, the federal penalty for not doing so has been eliminated. Maryland should consider its own mandate.

• Opinion

Giving thanks for civil conversation, a restored river, good tacos and the late Roger Easton

In which our columnist lists a few things to be grateful for as Thanksgiving approaches

By Dan Rodricks

Nov 20, 2018

• Politics

Maryland AG Frosh challenges Trump's choice of acting U.S. attorney general as 'illegal and unconstitutional'

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh has filed a motion in federal court challenging President Donald Trump's appointment of Matthew Whitaker as acting U.S. attorney general. Frosh’s motion in U.S. District Court in Baltimore argues the appointment is “illegal and unconstitutional.”

By Michael Dresser

Nov 13, 2018

• Commentary

Vigliotti: Not a wave, but a warning, out of the blue

Democrats cannot claim a mandate given the limits of their victory; and Republicans must strive to improve within the next two years to suffer additional defeats.

• Health

Maryland might not have properly vetted some Medicaid enrollees

Maryland may have allowed residents who did not qualify for Medicaid into the government health program for the poor by failing to consider all of their income, a routine audit of the quasi-governmental agency that oversees the Maryland health exchange found.

By Meredith Cohn

Nov 8, 2018

• Opinion

Don't trust politicians to fix health care system

Neither Democrats nor Republicans have been forthcoming about health care.

• Commentary

Pyatt: Medicine improving, but costs of care keep climbing

Health care has become our No. 1 national priority. Being Americans, we also want to eat fast food, work two or more jobs with less sleep, park next to our favorite shop if we actually buy stuff at a store, buy most things online, and have our marvelous doctors and researchers perform miracles for

• Opinion

If you don't have health insurance, Nov. 1 could be your lucky day

Open enrollment on Maryland's health insurance exchange starts Nov. 1. If you've ever gone uninsured because you don't think you can afford coverage, you should check it out.

• Opinion

How Republicans handed Democrats the health care issue

Conventional wisdom says Americans vote their pocketbooks. That’s why health care offers Democrats an advantage in the midterms, despite the strong economy and the shortcomings of the Affordable Care Act.

• Opinion

Sun endorsements: The 'Drive for Five' Senate races

The Sun provides endorsements in the six state Senate races targeted as part of Gov. Larry Hogan's "Drive for Five."

• Commentary

Culleton: Health care isn't a 'bad thing'

This is an election year and the electronic media is loaded with political ads. My favorite (I have viewed two different versions) warns voters that if they vote for a Democrat some "bad things" will inevitably occur. The joke is that all the "bad things" would be welcomed in this household.

• Health

As Maryland leaders celebrate lower health insurance rates, they don't mention rising deductibles

For weeks, Maryland leaders have been touting a bipartisan deal that will allow the state’s residents to pay lower premiums to buy health insurance — the first such rate reductions in years. But what state officials didn’t highlight is that as premiums are going down, deductibles are going up.

By Luke Broadwater

Oct 13, 2018

• Maryland

District 5 General Assembly hopefuls discuss state, Carroll issues at candidate forum

Democrats Emily Shank and Jaime O'Marr are running to represent Maryland's 5th Legislative District in the state House of Delegates and Senate. Republican incumbent Sen. Justin Ready is seeking reelection. The candidates discussed state and local issues at a Community Media Center candidate forum.

• Opinion

How badly at risk is Maryland if the Trump administration kills the ACA? It depends on whom you ask.

What happens to Maryland if the Trump administration kills the ACA? Those with pre-existing conditions could be at risk.

• Opinion

Leave Obamacare alone

For the sake of businesses dealing with rising health care costs, Washington needs to let the ACA remain and then build upon it.

• Health

Report: Millions in Maryland could lose health coverage or pay more because of feds' Obamacare stance

A Democratic staff report prepared at the request of U.S. Rep. Elijah E. Cummings finds that roughly 3.5 million Marylanders face skyrocketing premiums or losing coverage altogether because of pre-existing conditions, age or gender.

By Andrea K. McDaniels

Oct 2, 2018

• Politics

Transcript of the Maryland governor's debate between Larry Hogan and Ben Jealous

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and Democratic challenger Ben Jealous met Monday for the only scheduled debate in the 2018 governor’s race. This transcript was generated through a mix of automated software and human editing.

• Opinion

Md.'s temporary fix for health insurance rates

Md. avoided a spike in insurance costs this year but the 'fix' is only temporary - long-term solutions must be found.

• Opinion

Marylanders like Larry Hogan — and a $15 minimum wage

Maryland lawmakers need to be prepared to take action on increasing the minimum wage — voters across the ideological spectrum are demanding it.