COMMITTEE on WAYS and MEANS

In Case You Missed It...

Why the Health Care Tax Credit Eludes Many Small Businesses

Sep 26, 2012-- The Agenda has now profiled three small businesses that are struggling in different ways with providing health insurance to employees. The companies are very different — they trade in very different parts of the economy, and couldn’t be located much further apart geographically — but they do have one thing in common: Though all three have fewer than 25 employees, not one has qualified for the tax ... more

Press Release

Paulsen Releases GAO Report on Unemployment Insurance Information Technology Systems

Sep 26, 2012-- Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN), Acting Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human Resources of the Committee on Ways and Means, released a report prepared at his request by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The report, titled “Information Technology: Department of Labor Could Further Facilitate Modernization of States’ Unemployment Insurance Systems,” reviews how the ... more

In Case You Missed It...

The Truth About Barack Obama, Mitt Romney, and Welfare Reform

Sep 25, 2012-- Earlier this year the Obama administration announced it would be issuing waivers that affect the work requirement included in the landmark reform of the nation's welfare system. As soon as they did, politicians on both sides of the aisle ran to the barricades, digging in for a protracted fight. The Republicans—led by GOP president nominee Mitt Romney—immediately accused President Barack Obama of "... more

The Prescription Pad

ObamaCare Broken Promises Continue: Higher Costs and Fewer with Employer-Sponsored Health Care

Sep 25, 2012-- In 2009, President Obama promised the American people that his health care plan, “will slow the growth of health care costs for our families, our businesses, and our government.” Now : The verdict is in, and it is clear that President Obama has failed to deliver. Instead, the Democrats’ health care law has increased health care costs and has made it harder to maintain health insurance in the work... more

Facts Are Stubborn Things

Obama Top Advisor “Axes” Attempt to Save Social Security

Sep 24, 2012-- Today, when asked what the President’s plan was to save Social Security for future generations, top Obama advisor David Axelrod could not identify a single proposal that the President would consider, choosing instead to follow those like Vice President Biden and Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) who have said Social Security is “fine.” “This is not the time” to discuss Social Security reform, Axe... more

Opening Statements

Herger Opening Statement: Hearing on Medicare Advantage

Sep 21, 2012-- Today we will hear testimony regarding the current role of Medicare health plans, and look to the future of how these plans can continue to effectively serve Medicare beneficiaries. Medicare has allowed private health care plans to deliver care to beneficiaries since the 1970s. Significant and numerous changes have been made to these plans over the years, some good and some bad, causing enrollmen... more

Committee Votes

Camp, Hatch Demand Details from HHS on Welfare Waiver Scheme

Sep 21, 2012-- Washington, DC – Today, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) and Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) called on the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide a legal analysis detailing how the agency determined it had the unilateral authority to waive welfare work requirements. The letter to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius comes... more