The federal government’s recent move to restrict Medicare and Medicaid funding for so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors has ignited predictable outrage. Activists describe it as discriminatory. Advocacy groups frame it as a moral emergency. Critics accuse policymakers of ignoring “settled science.” But beneath the noise is a quieter, more sobering reality: for the first time…
A Reflection on the GOP’s Health-Care Rift
Washington, D.C., never lacks for drama, but every now and then the Republican caucus serves up an episode spicy enough to make daytime television blush. This time, the plot centers on something far more consequential than committee assignments or who accidentally unplugged the espresso machine in the Capitol cafeteria. House Republicans have found themselves in…
Social Security’s 2.8% Raise: Better Than Nothing
Today, the Social Security Administration announced the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2026: a whopping 2.8%. That works out to about $56 extra a month for the average retiree. Now, I’m not knocking an increase. Every bit helps when folks are trying to stretch a fixed income in today’s economy. But calling this a “boost” feels…
Pills, Politics, and Price Tags
If you’ve ever tried reading one of those congressional megabills, bless your heart. Most of us can’t even get through Leviticus without needing a break, and at least Leviticus came with divine authority. These megabills? They're more like legislative casseroles: a thousand ingredients, half of which are mystery meat, and no one’s really sure what…
House Republicans’ Budget Bill: A Step in the Right Direction, But Still Kicking the Can Down the Road
House Republicans narrowly passed a multi-trillion-dollar budget bill that seeks to extend tax cuts, increase defense and immigration enforcement spending, and trim $2 trillion in government spending over the next decade. The bill represents a necessary course correction from the reckless fiscal policies of the Biden administration, but let’s be clear: while it’s a step…
RFK Jr. at HHS: Trump’s Wild Card Pick and the Conservative Dilemma
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was always going to be a political lightning rod, but his Senate confirmation hearing turned into an all-out battle over science, ideology, and the soul of the conservative movement. The spectacle exposed deep political and philosophical divisions: Democrats, who have…
Dr. Oz at the Helm of CMS: A Bold Prescription or Risky Experiment?
President-elect Donald Trump's nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has sparked considerable debate. Dr. Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon and former television personality, is set to oversee programs that provide health coverage to over 160 million Americans. Pros: Medical Expertise: Dr. Oz's background as a cardiothoracic surgeon…
The Debate Over the ACA: A Conservative Perspective on Health Care and Preexisting Conditions
In recent discussions surrounding the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its implications for individuals with preexisting conditions, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has argued that repealing the ACA would significantly undermine protections for millions of Americans. Specifically, he contends that without the ACA, individuals suffering from conditions such as asthma or injuries from sports activities would…
The Independent Christian Conservative 