Michael McAuliff
@mcauliff.bsky.social
Covering politics and policy in Washington for Modern Healthcare. Priors include HuffPost, New York Daily News, ABC News.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
In a potentially dramatic change to how it chooses what science to fund, NIH is ending a long-running practice at many of its institutes of establishing, and making public, a threshold peer-review score needed for a grant application’s approval. https://scim.ag/48ck2zu
NIH shake-up to grant decision-making draws concerns of political meddling
Policy drops “paylines” based on peer-review scores and requires geography and other factors to guide approvals
scim.ag
November 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
In a potentially dramatic change to how it chooses what science to fund, NIH is ending a long-running practice at many of its institutes of establishing, and making public, a threshold peer-review score needed for a grant application’s approval. https://scim.ag/48ck2zu
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
Trump runs up against the same GOP-built brick wall of obstructionism that's been stymying Democrats for 40 years.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Even Trump wants to extend Obamacare tax credits—but Republicans stopped him
Tick, tock: the GOP is desperately trying to run out the clock on ACA subsidies.
www.motherjones.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Trump runs up against the same GOP-built brick wall of obstructionism that's been stymying Democrats for 40 years.
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
No president should have the power to silence journalists or control who gets to question them.
Good for the AP for refusing to back down. Others should follow their example.
Good for the AP for refusing to back down. Others should follow their example.
OpEd: Executive Editor Julie Pace on why AP is standing for your right to speak freely
The executive editor of The Associated Press says the news organization is fighting for the right of the press and public to speak freely without being targeted by the government.
apnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 3:07 PM
No president should have the power to silence journalists or control who gets to question them.
Good for the AP for refusing to back down. Others should follow their example.
Good for the AP for refusing to back down. Others should follow their example.
Mitch McConnell on Trump, Ukraine:
“Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous..
“Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous..
November 21, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Mitch McConnell on Trump, Ukraine:
“Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous..
“Putin has spent the entire year trying to play President Trump for a fool. If Administration officials are more concerned with appeasing Putin than securing real peace, then the President ought to find new advisors. Rewarding Russian butchery would be disastrous..
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
Absolutely incredible; after shooting Marimar Martinez 5 times and arresting her on claims that she rammed them and pulled a gun, prosecutors have now moved to dismiss ALL criminal charges against her and her codefendant.
New: the govt has moved to dismiss its assault case against Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, two people accused of "box[ing] in" a Border Patrol vehicle in Chicago on Oct. 4.
One agent shot Martinez, with evidence presented to the court that he later bragged about in text messages.
One agent shot Martinez, with evidence presented to the court that he later bragged about in text messages.
November 20, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Absolutely incredible; after shooting Marimar Martinez 5 times and arresting her on claims that she rammed them and pulled a gun, prosecutors have now moved to dismiss ALL criminal charges against her and her codefendant.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
A horrifying graphic from Pew showing the fruits of the right wing war on public health.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
November 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
A horrifying graphic from Pew showing the fruits of the right wing war on public health.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
Only 48% of Republicans believe that vaccines prevent serious illness, while 80% of Democrats do.
This is not a difference of opinion in science. This is the result of a ruthless disinformation campaign.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
Hakeem Jeffries says Mike Johnson is a "nice guy" but has "zero control" over House Republicans.
He brings up that Trump once said he has two titles, president and speaker of the House.
"Man, you lettin the president punk you like that? Publicly?"
He brings up that Trump once said he has two titles, president and speaker of the House.
"Man, you lettin the president punk you like that? Publicly?"
November 20, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Hakeem Jeffries says Mike Johnson is a "nice guy" but has "zero control" over House Republicans.
He brings up that Trump once said he has two titles, president and speaker of the House.
"Man, you lettin the president punk you like that? Publicly?"
He brings up that Trump once said he has two titles, president and speaker of the House.
"Man, you lettin the president punk you like that? Publicly?"
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
During MBS visit to DC, Democratic Sen. Kaine tries to pass a resolution commemorating Khashoggi's murder
SFRC Chair Sen. Risch says resolution "couldn't come at a more inappropriate time" w Saudi visit
"This resolution would do nothing to achieve accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi
SFRC Chair Sen. Risch says resolution "couldn't come at a more inappropriate time" w Saudi visit
"This resolution would do nothing to achieve accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi
November 19, 2025 at 10:39 PM
During MBS visit to DC, Democratic Sen. Kaine tries to pass a resolution commemorating Khashoggi's murder
SFRC Chair Sen. Risch says resolution "couldn't come at a more inappropriate time" w Saudi visit
"This resolution would do nothing to achieve accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi
SFRC Chair Sen. Risch says resolution "couldn't come at a more inappropriate time" w Saudi visit
"This resolution would do nothing to achieve accountability for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi
Heckuva ethics probe on Rep. Cory Mills.
he may have: failed disclose required info, violated campaign finance laws, received special favors, engaged in misconduct with respect to allegations of sexual misconduct and/or dating violence, and/or misused congressional resources.
he may have: failed disclose required info, violated campaign finance laws, received special favors, engaged in misconduct with respect to allegations of sexual misconduct and/or dating violence, and/or misused congressional resources.
November 19, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Heckuva ethics probe on Rep. Cory Mills.
he may have: failed disclose required info, violated campaign finance laws, received special favors, engaged in misconduct with respect to allegations of sexual misconduct and/or dating violence, and/or misused congressional resources.
he may have: failed disclose required info, violated campaign finance laws, received special favors, engaged in misconduct with respect to allegations of sexual misconduct and/or dating violence, and/or misused congressional resources.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
This is really interesting thread.
(About apparently gross incompetence by MAGA/Trump favored Mar-a-Lago-look prosecutor for Comey case)
To put it in perspective: This much incompetence in aviation world could have led to hundreds of deaths. It *would* have led to punishment and accountability.
(About apparently gross incompetence by MAGA/Trump favored Mar-a-Lago-look prosecutor for Comey case)
To put it in perspective: This much incompetence in aviation world could have led to hundreds of deaths. It *would* have led to punishment and accountability.
NEWS: During a hearing in federal court in VA, prosecutors confirmed that the operative indictment in the case against James Comey was never shown to or voted on by the entire grand jury before it was presented in open court.
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
November 19, 2025 at 9:09 PM
This is really interesting thread.
(About apparently gross incompetence by MAGA/Trump favored Mar-a-Lago-look prosecutor for Comey case)
To put it in perspective: This much incompetence in aviation world could have led to hundreds of deaths. It *would* have led to punishment and accountability.
(About apparently gross incompetence by MAGA/Trump favored Mar-a-Lago-look prosecutor for Comey case)
To put it in perspective: This much incompetence in aviation world could have led to hundreds of deaths. It *would* have led to punishment and accountability.
With time running out on enhanced ACA tax credits, Republicans focused on health savings accounts in a hearing today on healthcare costs. Dems countered there is no time to implement them. And they won't cover the costs.
Senators spar over ACA subsidies, HSAs at hearing
Republicans are closing ranks around expanding health savings accounts rather than extending exchange plan subsidies as Democrats demand.
www.modernhealthcare.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:02 PM
With time running out on enhanced ACA tax credits, Republicans focused on health savings accounts in a hearing today on healthcare costs. Dems countered there is no time to implement them. And they won't cover the costs.
Well, Senate Dems are not letting go of Epstein
November 19, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Well, Senate Dems are not letting go of Epstein
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
From the people who brought you the financial crisis, Theranos, and Juicero: say hello to data center financial engineering!
I'm pretty nervous about this ending badly, but everyone's dug in because AI is the only pulse in the economy.
prospect.org/2025/11/19/a...
I'm pretty nervous about this ending badly, but everyone's dug in because AI is the only pulse in the economy.
prospect.org/2025/11/19/a...
The AI Bubble Is Bigger Than You Think - The American Prospect
It’s not just OpenAI that looks overhyped. There’s a whole mountain of sketchy financial engineering underneath.
prospect.org
November 19, 2025 at 2:37 PM
From the people who brought you the financial crisis, Theranos, and Juicero: say hello to data center financial engineering!
I'm pretty nervous about this ending badly, but everyone's dug in because AI is the only pulse in the economy.
prospect.org/2025/11/19/a...
I'm pretty nervous about this ending badly, but everyone's dug in because AI is the only pulse in the economy.
prospect.org/2025/11/19/a...
Words not in this press release: "Three Mile Island"
Energy Department Closes Loan to Restart Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today announced the [DOE]...closed a loan to lower energy costs and restart a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant.
Energy Department Closes Loan to Restart Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today announced the [DOE]...closed a loan to lower energy costs and restart a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant.
November 19, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Words not in this press release: "Three Mile Island"
Energy Department Closes Loan to Restart Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today announced the [DOE]...closed a loan to lower energy costs and restart a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant.
Energy Department Closes Loan to Restart Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON—U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright today announced the [DOE]...closed a loan to lower energy costs and restart a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant.
You could say Republicans are at the spaghetti-on-the-wall stage with attempts to find a counter to letting enhanced ACA subsidies. Proving to be a real headache. Walking the halls of Congress, you could hear vitriol at insurance companies, lots about HSAs, and tons of proposals for ACA changes.
Republicans eye HSAs, ACA overhaul as enhanced subsidies near end
Under pressure to respond to skyrocketing health insurance exchange premiums, the GOP is scrambling for an elusive healthcare plan.
www.modernhealthcare.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
You could say Republicans are at the spaghetti-on-the-wall stage with attempts to find a counter to letting enhanced ACA subsidies. Proving to be a real headache. Walking the halls of Congress, you could hear vitriol at insurance companies, lots about HSAs, and tons of proposals for ACA changes.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester:
Moral rot in elite journalism is killing the whole field
The Nuzzi/RFK Jr. mess and the revelation of Esptein's journo pals lay bare a profound moral absence at the heart of our free press.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM
New — I wrote about the myriad ways journalism’s moral rot manifests, and how our crumbling institutions have created the conditions for it to fester:
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
NEWS: This is a 2-1 decision of a three-judge district court blocking the mid-decade Texas redistricting map as a racial gerrymander. It will (undoubtedly) be appealed, and it goes directly to the Supreme Court.
![UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS
EL PASO DIVISION
§
LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS, et al.,
Plaintiffs,
ALEXANDER GREEN, et al.,
Plaintiff-Intervenors,
con con con con con
EP-21-CV-00259-DCG-JES-JVB
[Lead Case]
v.
§
All Consolidated Cases
GREG ABBOTT, in his official capacity as Governor of the State of Texas, et al.,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER GRANTING PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
JEFFREY V. BROWN, United States District Judge:!
In August 2025, the State of Texas enacted a new electoral map to govern elections for the U.S. House of Representatives (the "2025 Map"). Claiming that the 2025 Map is racially
discriminatory, six groups of Plaintiffs (the "Plaintiff Groups") ask the Court to preliminarily
enjoin the State from using the 2025 Map for the 2026 elections.
For the reasons explained below, the Court PRELIMINARILY ENJOINS the State from using the 2025 Map. The Court ORDERS that the 2026 congressional election in Texas shall
proceed under the map that the Texas Legislature enacted in 2021 (the "2021 Map").](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreib3i5jmuws2fzu6zq7t6hucfrg46pmvz5ofh2qoxsqjekkrs5kdge@jpeg)
November 18, 2025 at 6:40 PM
NEWS: This is a 2-1 decision of a three-judge district court blocking the mid-decade Texas redistricting map as a racial gerrymander. It will (undoubtedly) be appealed, and it goes directly to the Supreme Court.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
“.. $DJT stock has fallen nearly 70% this year and 34.6% in the past month ..”
@barrons.com
www.barrons.com/articles/djt...
@barrons.com
www.barrons.com/articles/djt...
November 18, 2025 at 6:25 PM
“.. $DJT stock has fallen nearly 70% this year and 34.6% in the past month ..”
@barrons.com
www.barrons.com/articles/djt...
@barrons.com
www.barrons.com/articles/djt...
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
"Bill Ferguson has cast himself as a voice of political sanity and good governance at a time when those qualities are on the wane." There's increasingly little patience for going high when they go low. www.thebulwark.com/p/meet-the-m...
Meet the Most Hated Democrat in America
No, it’s not Chuck Schumer.
www.thebulwark.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM
"Bill Ferguson has cast himself as a voice of political sanity and good governance at a time when those qualities are on the wane." There's increasingly little patience for going high when they go low. www.thebulwark.com/p/meet-the-m...
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
When Republicans passed the "big beautiful bill," they triggered $500 billion in Medicare cuts under PAYGO rules — one of Democrats' many objections to the bill. The Dems who helped end the shutdown this week not only gave up the ACA leverage, they helped Republicans erase the PAYGO costs.
Stopgap funding bill averts Medicare cuts triggered by tax law
An unusual provision clears the way for $3.4 trillion in deficit spending triggered by President Donald Trump's tax law.
www.modernhealthcare.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
When Republicans passed the "big beautiful bill," they triggered $500 billion in Medicare cuts under PAYGO rules — one of Democrats' many objections to the bill. The Dems who helped end the shutdown this week not only gave up the ACA leverage, they helped Republicans erase the PAYGO costs.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
John Fetterman was taken to the hospital after suffering from a “ventricular fibrillation flare-up” and falling near his home
John Fetterman Hospitalized After Fall
www.huffpost.com
November 13, 2025 at 6:15 PM
John Fetterman was taken to the hospital after suffering from a “ventricular fibrillation flare-up” and falling near his home
When Republicans passed the "big beautiful bill," they triggered $500 billion in Medicare cuts under PAYGO rules — one of Democrats' many objections to the bill. The Dems who helped end the shutdown this week not only gave up the ACA leverage, they helped Republicans erase the PAYGO costs.
Stopgap funding bill averts Medicare cuts triggered by tax law
An unusual provision clears the way for $3.4 trillion in deficit spending triggered by President Donald Trump's tax law.
www.modernhealthcare.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:21 PM
When Republicans passed the "big beautiful bill," they triggered $500 billion in Medicare cuts under PAYGO rules — one of Democrats' many objections to the bill. The Dems who helped end the shutdown this week not only gave up the ACA leverage, they helped Republicans erase the PAYGO costs.
Free buses? Great. But they could come at a steep cost for disabled paratransit riders.
Very smart food for thought: nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/12/o...
Very smart food for thought: nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/12/o...
Opinion: Free Buses Can’t Come at Paratransit Riders’ Expense - Streetsblog New York City
Critically missing from the discourse on free buses are the implications a fare-free system would have for the MTA’s Access-A-Ride.
nyc.streetsblog.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Free buses? Great. But they could come at a steep cost for disabled paratransit riders.
Very smart food for thought: nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/12/o...
Very smart food for thought: nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/11/12/o...
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
State officials and medical groups said the federal infusion of money is welcome, but isn’t enough to offset billions in Medicaid losses.
States hope to use rural health money to keep doctors, combat chronic disease • Idaho Capital Sun
States are seeking money to bolster emergency services, address chronic diseases, and recruit and train more doctors and nurses.
idahocapitalsun.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:40 PM
State officials and medical groups said the federal infusion of money is welcome, but isn’t enough to offset billions in Medicaid losses.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
KFF's estimate that out-of-pocket ACA premiums will increase if enhanced tax credits expire by an average of 114% has been widely reported. But, it varies a lot, especially by income. Here's what increases look like in dollar terms -- from $378 at $18,000 to $1,836 at $45,000.
November 11, 2025 at 3:47 PM
KFF's estimate that out-of-pocket ACA premiums will increase if enhanced tax credits expire by an average of 114% has been widely reported. But, it varies a lot, especially by income. Here's what increases look like in dollar terms -- from $378 at $18,000 to $1,836 at $45,000.