Sizable victories for the Democrats in a series of races offer cheer after a year of Donald Trump. But the party should not feel too reassuredIt was the boost they needed. The jubilation of Democrats as they celebrated the results of Tuesday’s elections owed much to the despair of one year before, when they learned that Donald Trump was on his way to the White House, as well as to the extraordinary events since, which have amplified his unfitness for the presidency and the extent of Russia...
The Guardian
Number of US adults without health insurance up 3.5m this year, study finds
Rising premiums and political turmoil over Obamacare undermine the gains that drove the nation’s uninsured rate to a historic low
The number of US adults without health insurance is up nearly 3.5 million this year, as rising premiums and political turmoil over Obamacare undermine coverage gains that drove the nation’s uninsured rate to a historic low.
Related: 'He keeps zigging and zagging': the perils of doing a healthcare deal with Trump
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Bannon says Trump will ‘blow up’ Obamacare as subsidies cut stokes fires
- Moderate Collins and Democrat Murphy decry cut to low-income help
- Trump responds to healthcare critics with claim ‘millions’ will benefit
A day after Steve Bannon seemed to confirm Donald Trump’s intent to destroy the Affordable Care Act (ACA), saying the president was “gonna blow that thing up”, a Republican senator who helped dynamite two Republican replacement bills said Trump was hurting American citizens.
Related: Steve Bannon renews call for war on Rep...
Saturday Night Live: here come the Harvey Weinstein jokes – a week late
Kumail Nanjiani was likable and Kate McKinnon shone as usual. But in the dispiriting America of Harvey and Donald, the best tactic was to keep it surreal
Kumail Nanjiani – The Big Sick, Silicon Valley – is in charge tonight. But first: Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump giving an address in a hangar. This week, he explains, he’s been reversing everything Obama did: Obamacare, the nuclear deal with Iran … and ‘We’re ripping out all of the vegetables in Michelle Obama’s garden and planting M...
Trump plants bomb, says Obamacare ‘imploding’
• President ends subsidies for poor … opens door for flimsy insurance plans … threatens Iran deal … vows love for Puerto Rico
• Get the day’s politics news in 60 seconds every weekday. By Tom McCarthy
10.05pm BST
Trump planted a time bomb under the Affordable Care Act by scrapping vital federal subsidies that help insurers extend quality coverage to low-income recipients. Then Trump said Obamacare was “imploding”.
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Trump scraps Obamacare subsidies in surprise late-night announcement
Federal payments underpinning healthcare scheme unlawful, says White House, in move that takes a further swipe at Democrats’ signature reform
Donald Trump has planted a timebomb under Obamacare, issuing a notice late on Thursday night that scraps vital federal subsidies underpinning the current healthcare system.
Related: Trump accused of sabotage after signing executive order to weaken Obamacare
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Trump chief of staff John Kelly: ‘I’m not quitting, I’m not getting fired’
- Chief of staff makes surprise appearance to deny he’s about to leave
- ‘Although I read it all the time pretty consistently, I’m not quitting today’
Donald Trump’s chief of staff has made an extraordinary public appearance to deny that he is about to resign or be fired.
Related: Trump accused of sabotage after signing executive order to weaken Obamacare
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Jeff Sessions issues directive undercutting LGBT protections
The Sessions directive effectively lifts a burden from religious objectors to prove their beliefs about marriage or other topics are sincerely held
The attorney general, Jeff Sessions, on Friday issued a sweeping directive that undercuts federal protections for LGBT people, telling agencies to do as much as possible to accommodate those who claim their religious freedoms are violated.
Related: Trump substantially weakens Obamacare contraception mandate
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Trump substantially weakens Obamacare contraception mandate
Many more employers allowed to opt out of requirement to cover birth control without copay in move that could cause thousands of women to lose coverage
The Trump administration has dramatically expanded the number of employers allowed to flout the Affordable Care Act (ACA) policy that requires company healthcare plans to cover contraception at no additional cost.
Related: White House drafts rule to roll back 'contraception mandate' for health coverage
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Trump claims tax plan is not for the rich | The minute
• Trump takes on tax cuts and you’ll never guess who benefits most... Tom Price says he’ll write a check for those plane rides … Trump repeats false tale of infirmed Senator...
• Get the day’s politics news in 60 seconds every weekday. By Jamiles Lartey
10.44pm BST
Donald Trump is charging hard to sell his overhaul of the US tax he says are aimed at “everyday hardworking Americans”. Unsurprisingly, analysis shows those most likely to g...