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
I’ve begun evaluating license plates based on how funny they would be to be the last thing you see
December 30, 2025 at 4:00 AM
I’ve begun evaluating license plates based on how funny they would be to be the last thing you see
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
The consequences of RFK's first year in office will unfold over years--decades, even. Some hints of how his HHS overhaul will affect the health of Americans be more immediately evident. For my latest @opinion.bloomberg.com , pointed out a few metrics that I'll be watching in 2026 (🎁):
America’s Year of Health-Care Chaos Will Have These Consequences
The unprecedented turmoil at the US’ top health agencies, under the leadership of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is sure to have a long-term impact on the well-being of Ame...
www.bloomberg.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:47 PM
The consequences of RFK's first year in office will unfold over years--decades, even. Some hints of how his HHS overhaul will affect the health of Americans be more immediately evident. For my latest @opinion.bloomberg.com , pointed out a few metrics that I'll be watching in 2026 (🎁):
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
So glad to discuss my Venezuela reporting with a smart, engaged, fun interviewer like @reedgalen.bsky.social…
The Truth About Venezuela
Essential information you're not hearing anywhere else about the truth behind Trump's Venezuela campaign
thefuckingnews.substack.com
December 30, 2025 at 3:01 PM
So glad to discuss my Venezuela reporting with a smart, engaged, fun interviewer like @reedgalen.bsky.social…
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
NEW: House Dems want DCCC to back Latino candidates in 2026
BOLD PAC’s Linda Sanchez said she “made my point to [DCCC] several times”
“Let’s see if they take that to heart or not,” she added
DCCC has declined to support Hispanic candidates in the past
www.notus.org/2026-electio...
BOLD PAC’s Linda Sanchez said she “made my point to [DCCC] several times”
“Let’s see if they take that to heart or not,” she added
DCCC has declined to support Hispanic candidates in the past
www.notus.org/2026-electio...
House Democrats Demand More Support for Latino Candidates in 2026
“The DCCC’s inclination was always to go for a safe moderate, white suburban mom, or something of that nature, and not … a Latino candidate,” Sen. Ruben Gallego said.
www.notus.org
December 29, 2025 at 1:48 PM
NEW: House Dems want DCCC to back Latino candidates in 2026
BOLD PAC’s Linda Sanchez said she “made my point to [DCCC] several times”
“Let’s see if they take that to heart or not,” she added
DCCC has declined to support Hispanic candidates in the past
www.notus.org/2026-electio...
BOLD PAC’s Linda Sanchez said she “made my point to [DCCC] several times”
“Let’s see if they take that to heart or not,” she added
DCCC has declined to support Hispanic candidates in the past
www.notus.org/2026-electio...
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
“You are not entitled to a response from us, or anyone, ever,” is what a US Education Department spokesperson wrote to one of our reporters, @megomatz.bsky.social, after she repeatedly tried to get comment from the department and its officials. My column on the condemnation of good journalism.
Our Reporters Reached Out for Comment. They Were Accused of Stalking and Intimidation.
Our journalists reach out to people they’re writing about to ensure fairness. But in this environment, they’ve found their efforts to do so are more likely to be vilified than appreciated.
www.propublica.org
December 29, 2025 at 2:58 PM
“You are not entitled to a response from us, or anyone, ever,” is what a US Education Department spokesperson wrote to one of our reporters, @megomatz.bsky.social, after she repeatedly tried to get comment from the department and its officials. My column on the condemnation of good journalism.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
Clinicians who actually saw the horrors of COVID (and didn’t get infected, because masks fucking work 🤷🏻♂️) are pretty pissed at this. Especially the @newyorker.com - I expect better 🤦🏻♂️
The thesis of the book is that early COVID lockdowns weren't worth it and mid-COVID mitigation measures like masks, contact tracing and business closures don't work.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
This is laughably false and the authors have endorsed the people now running Trump's HHS.
December 24, 2025 at 5:19 AM
Clinicians who actually saw the horrors of COVID (and didn’t get infected, because masks fucking work 🤷🏻♂️) are pretty pissed at this. Especially the @newyorker.com - I expect better 🤦🏻♂️
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
NEW Economist/YouGov
% saying that a year from now they and their household will be better off financially
Democrats
Jan 26-28: 18%
Dec 20-22: 19%
Republicans
Jan 26-28: 67%
Dec 20-22: 47%
today.yougov.com/economy/arti...
% saying that a year from now they and their household will be better off financially
Democrats
Jan 26-28: 18%
Dec 20-22: 19%
Republicans
Jan 26-28: 67%
Dec 20-22: 47%
today.yougov.com/economy/arti...
December 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
NEW Economist/YouGov
% saying that a year from now they and their household will be better off financially
Democrats
Jan 26-28: 18%
Dec 20-22: 19%
Republicans
Jan 26-28: 67%
Dec 20-22: 47%
today.yougov.com/economy/arti...
% saying that a year from now they and their household will be better off financially
Democrats
Jan 26-28: 18%
Dec 20-22: 19%
Republicans
Jan 26-28: 67%
Dec 20-22: 47%
today.yougov.com/economy/arti...
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
There’s double incentive for donors to give to the ballroom & other Trump projects & groups:
1) major donors have benefited from actions by Trump/his administration.
2) some corporations & individuals fear that if they don’t give, they could be targeted.
1) major donors have benefited from actions by Trump/his administration.
2) some corporations & individuals fear that if they don’t give, they could be targeted.
NYT: Hundreds of major post-election donors benefiting in Trump’s second term
The New York Times reports that President Trump and his allies have raised nearly two billion dollars for political causes and personal projects while in office. Ken Vogel joins Chris Jansing with the...
www.ms.now
December 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
There’s double incentive for donors to give to the ballroom & other Trump projects & groups:
1) major donors have benefited from actions by Trump/his administration.
2) some corporations & individuals fear that if they don’t give, they could be targeted.
1) major donors have benefited from actions by Trump/his administration.
2) some corporations & individuals fear that if they don’t give, they could be targeted.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
Scientists have developed a robotic hand exoskeleton that can passively train expert pianists to play faster keystrokes and overcome the ceiling effect in motor skills.
Read more in #ScienceRobotics: https://scim.ag/3N3bJil
Read more in #ScienceRobotics: https://scim.ag/3N3bJil
December 23, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Scientists have developed a robotic hand exoskeleton that can passively train expert pianists to play faster keystrokes and overcome the ceiling effect in motor skills.
Read more in #ScienceRobotics: https://scim.ag/3N3bJil
Read more in #ScienceRobotics: https://scim.ag/3N3bJil
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
About the card Jeffrey Epstein purportedly sent to Larry Nassar:
* The postmark is from Virginia, not New York where Epstein was jailed
* The return address is incorrect and doesn't include his register number
* FBI sought a handwriting analysis. Don't know outcome.
www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
* The postmark is from Virginia, not New York where Epstein was jailed
* The return address is incorrect and doesn't include his register number
* FBI sought a handwriting analysis. Don't know outcome.
www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
Justice Department releases card mentioning Trump, purportedly sent from Epstein to Nassar
The U.S. Justice Department released an image on Tuesday of a card that makes a crude reference to President Donald Trump, purportedly written by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar...
www.reuters.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:00 PM
About the card Jeffrey Epstein purportedly sent to Larry Nassar:
* The postmark is from Virginia, not New York where Epstein was jailed
* The return address is incorrect and doesn't include his register number
* FBI sought a handwriting analysis. Don't know outcome.
www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
* The postmark is from Virginia, not New York where Epstein was jailed
* The return address is incorrect and doesn't include his register number
* FBI sought a handwriting analysis. Don't know outcome.
www.reuters.com/world/us/jus...
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
“PEN America found that 6,870 book bans were enacted during the 2024-2025 school year across 23 states and 87 public school districts. Some 4,000 different titles were targeted, though many bans attack the same books — often those highlighted by Moms for Liberty.”
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/feat...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/feat...
MAGA’s Book Bans Are Coming Back With a Vengeance
The Trump administration’s executive orders are fueling a wave of book bans, and South Carolina is leading the pack.
www.bloomberg.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:43 PM
“PEN America found that 6,870 book bans were enacted during the 2024-2025 school year across 23 states and 87 public school districts. Some 4,000 different titles were targeted, though many bans attack the same books — often those highlighted by Moms for Liberty.”
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/feat...
www.bloomberg.com/opinion/feat...
The House passage of an alternative healthcare bill pretty much dooms the enhanced ACA subsidies. There is still a chance in January, but that has plenty of challenges.
December 17, 2025 at 11:48 PM
The House passage of an alternative healthcare bill pretty much dooms the enhanced ACA subsidies. There is still a chance in January, but that has plenty of challenges.
And.. The House passes its healthcare bill. 216 to 211, with the R No, 6 lawmakers not voting, 3 each side.
It won't go anywhere in the Senate.
The CBO estimates it kicks 100,000 people a year off of health insurance.
It won't go anywhere in the Senate.
The CBO estimates it kicks 100,000 people a year off of health insurance.
December 17, 2025 at 11:30 PM
And.. The House passes its healthcare bill. 216 to 211, with the R No, 6 lawmakers not voting, 3 each side.
It won't go anywhere in the Senate.
The CBO estimates it kicks 100,000 people a year off of health insurance.
It won't go anywhere in the Senate.
The CBO estimates it kicks 100,000 people a year off of health insurance.
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
Maybe giving the speaker unilateral adjournment/recess authority wasn’t such a great idea.
NEW: Rep. Mike Lawler tells me Speaker Johnson should bring the 3 year ACA extension for a vote BEFORE they leave for the holiday break.
“I think it should. I think we should have an up or down vote before we leave.”
“I think it should. I think we should have an up or down vote before we leave.”
December 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Maybe giving the speaker unilateral adjournment/recess authority wasn’t such a great idea.
Democrats are trying to make this vote as hard as possible on Republicans, detailing how many constituents of each speaker will see premium hikes. Then there is also mockery of the chaos we have seen. This from Rep. Nanette Barragan.
December 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Democrats are trying to make this vote as hard as possible on Republicans, detailing how many constituents of each speaker will see premium hikes. Then there is also mockery of the chaos we have seen. This from Rep. Nanette Barragan.
cc @ringwiss cos the procedures get opaque to me fast. Apparently 1988 is the last time this happened says @steventdennis.bsky.social
What Dems are doing is opposing "ordering the previous question." McGovern said if it fails, he could offer a motion to consider the Dem bill. If you watch the House floor some animated discussions are happening. Unclear where this goes. But there seems to be a guarantee of a House vote in January.
December 17, 2025 at 3:42 PM
cc @ringwiss cos the procedures get opaque to me fast. Apparently 1988 is the last time this happened says @steventdennis.bsky.social
Rep. Jim McGovern says 4 Republicans have signed the Democrats' discharge petition to extend ACA subsidies for 3 years. That vote could not happen until next year, so the Dems are trying a procedural move to get a vote today. Unclear how that will go. then there's still a filibuster block in Senate
December 17, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Rep. Jim McGovern says 4 Republicans have signed the Democrats' discharge petition to extend ACA subsidies for 3 years. That vote could not happen until next year, so the Dems are trying a procedural move to get a vote today. Unclear how that will go. then there's still a filibuster block in Senate
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
NEW: Humanitarian officials staged a last-minute plea to Trump officials at their fancy hotel to re-start food aid $ for a huge refugee camp in Kenya.
The Trumpers blew it off and babies starved.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy
www.propublica.org/article/keny...
The Trumpers blew it off and babies starved.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy
www.propublica.org/article/keny...
December 17, 2025 at 12:36 PM
NEW: Humanitarian officials staged a last-minute plea to Trump officials at their fancy hotel to re-start food aid $ for a huge refugee camp in Kenya.
The Trumpers blew it off and babies starved.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy
www.propublica.org/article/keny...
The Trumpers blew it off and babies starved.
@annamaria.bsky.social & Brett Murphy
www.propublica.org/article/keny...
Dems at this Rules hearing keep saying 100,000 people will lose healthcare under the GOP bill, not 100,000 per year.
I feel like some staffers should be on that.
I feel like some staffers should be on that.
CBO clarifies that the House health bill would decrease the number of people with health insurance by an average of 100,000 PER YEAR over the 2027-2035 window.
(the number being cited in the Rules hearing is 100,000 total, but is apparently a big understatement.
www.cbo.gov/publication/...
(the number being cited in the Rules hearing is 100,000 total, but is apparently a big understatement.
www.cbo.gov/publication/...
www.cbo.gov
December 16, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Dems at this Rules hearing keep saying 100,000 people will lose healthcare under the GOP bill, not 100,000 per year.
I feel like some staffers should be on that.
I feel like some staffers should be on that.
Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.): "The Affordable Care Act needs to be rewritten. The worst thing that ever happened to it is someone starting to call it Obamacare, because then it became about Obama instead of about the law."
December 16, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.): "The Affordable Care Act needs to be rewritten. The worst thing that ever happened to it is someone starting to call it Obamacare, because then it became about Obama instead of about the law."
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
Just decline the peer review invitation.
What are you people even doing?
What are you people even doing?
More than half of researchers now use AI for peer review — often against guidance
A survey of 1,600 academics found that more than 50% have used artificial-intelligence tools while peer reviewing manuscripts.
www.nature.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Just decline the peer review invitation.
What are you people even doing?
What are you people even doing?
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
Republicans entering winter of discontent as things feel more like Trump 1.0
- More personnel drama, daily chaos: Trump attacking Reiner, Wiles interview
- Senators worrying more about losing House
- if “election was today, we’d be cooked," says person close to WH
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
- More personnel drama, daily chaos: Trump attacking Reiner, Wiles interview
- Senators worrying more about losing House
- if “election was today, we’d be cooked," says person close to WH
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
Trump and his party enter a winter of discontent
Republicans are cringing at the president’s digressions as they divide further on potential economic fixes.
www.semafor.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:17 PM
Republicans entering winter of discontent as things feel more like Trump 1.0
- More personnel drama, daily chaos: Trump attacking Reiner, Wiles interview
- Senators worrying more about losing House
- if “election was today, we’d be cooked," says person close to WH
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
- More personnel drama, daily chaos: Trump attacking Reiner, Wiles interview
- Senators worrying more about losing House
- if “election was today, we’d be cooked," says person close to WH
www.semafor.com/article/12/1...
CBO clarifies that the House health bill would decrease the number of people with health insurance by an average of 100,000 PER YEAR over the 2027-2035 window.
(the number being cited in the Rules hearing is 100,000 total, but is apparently a big understatement.
www.cbo.gov/publication/...
(the number being cited in the Rules hearing is 100,000 total, but is apparently a big understatement.
www.cbo.gov/publication/...
www.cbo.gov
December 16, 2025 at 10:11 PM
CBO clarifies that the House health bill would decrease the number of people with health insurance by an average of 100,000 PER YEAR over the 2027-2035 window.
(the number being cited in the Rules hearing is 100,000 total, but is apparently a big understatement.
www.cbo.gov/publication/...
(the number being cited in the Rules hearing is 100,000 total, but is apparently a big understatement.
www.cbo.gov/publication/...
praps getting ready for the Rules Committee ruling ACA amendments out of order
Fitzpatrick and Lawler, who have a discharge petition on health care, seem deep in conversation on the floor right now
December 16, 2025 at 9:58 PM
praps getting ready for the Rules Committee ruling ACA amendments out of order
Reposted by Michael McAuliff
INBOX: Former NIAID director Jeanne Marrazzo is suing the Trump administration.
She alleges the NIH violated her constitutional rights and illegally fired her after she blew the whistle on actions that jeopardized public health and violated federal law.
She alleges the NIH violated her constitutional rights and illegally fired her after she blew the whistle on actions that jeopardized public health and violated federal law.
December 16, 2025 at 9:27 PM
INBOX: Former NIAID director Jeanne Marrazzo is suing the Trump administration.
She alleges the NIH violated her constitutional rights and illegally fired her after she blew the whistle on actions that jeopardized public health and violated federal law.
She alleges the NIH violated her constitutional rights and illegally fired her after she blew the whistle on actions that jeopardized public health and violated federal law.