Report: Fees Vary Wildly Among Hospitals for Same Procedure
Hospitals within the same city sometimes charge tens of thousands of dollars more for the same procedures, according to government figures released for the first time.
Obama Administration
Senate Confirms Jacob Lew as Treasury Secretary
The Senate confirmed Jacob Lew to be Treasury secretary, affirming President Barack Obama's choice of a budget expert at a time when Congress and the White House are at odds over sharp government spending cuts. Lew had most recently served as Obama's chief of staff.
Small Business Administration Head Karen Mills Stepping Down
Karen Mills is leaving her post as head of the Small Business Administration, opening yet another Cabinet-rank job for President Barack Obama to fill at the start of his second term. Obama says Mills played a leading role supporting start-up businesses and entrepreneurs.
New Mileage Standards Would Double Fuel Efficiency
To meet the standard, automakers will need to introduce new technology to improve gasoline-powered engines. And they'll need to sell more alternative fuel vehicles. Critics say the rules will add thousands to the price of new cars and make them unaffordable for many.
Obama Wants Small-Business Bill This Year
Seeking cooperation in a polarized climate, President Barack Obama called on Congress Tuesday to act quickly on bipartisan measures that would extend tax breaks for small businesses and help startup companies raise money. He said he would sign the legislation "right away."
Five Takeaways from the Debt Debate
As the debt-ceiling discussion winds down in Washington and everyone laments over the meaning and mutual downside of compromise, the economy is still in trouble. But we learned some lessons along the way. Here are some key points from the debacle.
Unemployed and Seeking Shelter from the Storm
The housing crisis continues unabated, and millions of unemployed Americans remain at risk of ending up homeless. But additional government help is arriving from the Obama administration, and nonprofit agencies are making a difference in the efforts of some families to get help from their lenders.
The Financial Landscape: Geithner Gossip Groundless
Citing unnamed sources, news outlets reported Thursday evening that Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner might leave the Obama administration soon. In response to the rumors, Geithner insisted, "I live for this work.... I'm going to be doing it for the foreseeable future."
The Financial Landscape: Gas Is Falling; Euro is Failing
Even before the International Energy Agency and the White House announced they were releasing billions of gallons or oil from fuel reserves, gas prices were falling. In the past two weeks, a gallon is down more than 11 cents. Also falling -- hopes for the euro, and the outlook for U.S. Treasury bonds.
White House to Tap Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Describing the president as deeply concerned about the impact on global economic growth of oil supply disruptions in the Middle East and North Africa, the Obama administration announced it would release 30 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve over the next 30 days.
Obama's Mortgage Reforms: Higher Standards -- and Costs
The administration's proposed revamp of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is actually an offering of multiple policy options, essentially passing the political hot potato to the Republicans. Problem is, any fix is sure to make mortgages costlier, with potential harm to the housing market.
Can Obama's Proposed $7,500 Rebate Accelerate Electric-Car Sales?
In the State of the Union address in January, President Barack Obama set a goal of getting 1 million electric cars on the road by 2015. Now he's proposed $7,500 rebates, instead of tax credits, to reach that goal. Will that be enough to make it doable?
Approval Ratings Rise for Obama and Congress
Approval ratings for both President Barack Obama and Congress have reached their highest levels in more than a year, according to a Harris Interactive poll released Monday.
Three U.S. Stocks to Buy After China's White House Visit
President Obama brought executives from 13 major U.S. firms to the White House Wednesday to meet with Chinese Premier Hu Jintao. The corporate leaders will surely be angling for better access to China's markets, which could boost their stocks. But only a few are actually good investments now.