Jeff believes access to quality, affordable health care is not a privilege, but a human right. Jeff’s perspective on health care has been influenced by his wife, Mary, a registered nurse, who sees the world through the eyes of her patients: the people who should be at the heart of our health care system.
Throughout his career, Jeff has fought to expand access to quality, affordable health care coverage. As Speaker of the Oregon House, Jeff lowered prescription drug prices by expanding the state’s bulk purchasing program and fought to expand and improve children’s health care coverage. Jeff continues working to improve health care quality and coverage for all Oregonians in the U.S. Senate.
Merkley, Wyden Raise the Alarm Over Oregon Community Health Centers’ Delays in Accessing Federal Funding
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined an effort led by Virginia Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner to press the Trump Administration about reports that community health centers are experiencing significant delays in accessing funding. There are 34 Federally Qualified Health Centers in Oregon, including two Look-Alikes, operating more than 270
Ranking Members Merkley, Pingree: Health Care in Tribal Communities in Danger Under Trump’s Hiring Freeze
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01), the top Democrats on the subcommittees that oversee funding for the Indian Health Service (IHS), demanded urgent action from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to stop dangerous cuts to the IHS workforce, which is
Merkley, Wyden Blast President Trump’s Illegal Federal Funding Cuts That Harm American Families
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden today issued the following statements in response to a federal judge blocking the Trump Administration’s executive order immediately stopping all federal loans and grants: “The attack on these programs that allow families to get on their feet and thrive
Bonamici, Wyden, Merkley, Salinas, Hoyle, Dexter, Bynum Call for Providence, Oregon Nurses Association to Reach Agreement
WASHINGTON DC [1/24/25] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Janelle Bynum (OR-05), and Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley sent a letter urging Providence and the Oregon Nurses Association to reach agreement on new employment contracts for doctors, certified nurse midwives, nurse practitioners, registered
Merkley, Wyden Support Legislation to Lower Health Care Costs for Millions by Permanently Extending Affordable Care Act Premium Tax Credits
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced today they joined House and Senate Democrats in an effort to keep tax credits that lower health care premium costs by reintroducing the Health Care Affordability Act. The bicameral legislation makes permanent the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits (PTCs)
Merkley’s Bipartisan Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act Now Law
Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley celebrated that his bipartisan bill to provide greater oversight and data transparency for institutional youth treatment programs was signed into law at the end of December. Merkley co-led the bipartisan Stop Institutional Child Abuse Act with Texas’ U.S. Senator John Cornyn and
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