Healthcare.gov ‘Passive’ On Highlighting Potential Fraud, GAO Investigators Find
In other national news, the Texas abortion case now pending at the high court could have effects across state lines. On Capitol Hill, GOP senators are unified in their decision to block votes and hearings if President Barack Obama submits a nominee for the Supreme Court. However, there is bipartisan interest in addressing the national opioid epidemic.
The Associated Press:
Healthcare.gov 'Passive' On Heading Off Fraud
With billions in taxpayer dollars at stake, the Obama administration has taken a "passive" approach to identifying potential fraud involving the president's health care law, nonpartisan congressional investigators say in a report due out Wednesday. While the Government Accountability Office stops short of alleging widespread cheating in President Barack Obama's signature program, investigators found that the administration has struggled to resolve eligibility questions affecting millions of initial applications and hundreds of thousands of consumers who were actually approved for benefits. (2/24)
The New York Times:
Texas Abortion Case On Justices’ Docket May Have Effects Beyond State Lines
About 20 women came to the abortion clinic here on a recent morning, hurrying past the shouting protesters as volunteer escorts held up umbrellas to shield their faces. Inside the Reproductive Health Services clinic was Dr. Willie Parker, an Alabama native and one of a few physicians willing to face the professional shunning and the personal threats that come with being an abortion doctor in the conservative Deep South. He travels constantly among three different cities, two in Alabama and one in Mississippi, to provide a service that no local doctors will. (Eckholm, 2/24)
The Washington Post:
Republicans Vow No Hearings And No Votes For Obama’s Supreme Court Pick
Senate Republicans on Tuesday united behind an official position on how to deal with President Obama’s expected nominee to replace the late Supreme Court justice Antonin Scalia: no hearings, no votes and no new justice until Obama is out of office. “Presidents have a right to nominate, just as the Senate has its constitutional right to provide or withhold consent,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said in a morning floor speech. “In this case, the Senate will withhold it.” (DeBonis and Kane, 2/23)
Reuters:
Senators Push Protections For Opioid-Dependent Parents, Infants
Key senators said on Tuesday they are crafting a law that would allow states to use federal foster care funds to help opioid-addicted parents raise their infants. The senior Republican and Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee envision the law as part of a comprehensive effort to address the opioid crisis with increased prevention, treatment and law enforcement. (2/23)
And on the campaign trail, Donald Trump claims another primary win -
Los Angeles Times:
Trump Wins Nevada Caucuses, Fortifying His Lead In The Republican Race
Donald Trump romped to a third straight election victory Tuesday night, winning the Nevada caucuses and solidifying his position atop the Republican field as the presidential race now expands into a nationwide test. Marco Rubio was trailing far behind with about a quarter of the vote counted, followed by Ted Cruz in third place. (Finnegan and Barabak, 2/24)