Tag: Health Care

Democrats Step Up Pressure for Money to Combat Zika Virus

The mantra from Democrats in both chambers this week is that Congress needs to act post haste on funding to combat the Zika virus. Senate Democrats said they won’t try to amend the Energy and Water Development bill now on the floor with a Zika supplemental but are upping the

Merkley, Wyden Join Colleagues to Introduce “True LEADership Act” to Remove Lead from Pipes and Invest More in America’s Crumbling Water Infrastructure

WASHINGTON – Today, Oregon’s Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden joined Senate Democrats to introduce the Testing, Removal and Updated Evaluations of Lead Everywhere in America for Dramatic Enhancements that Restore Safety to Homes, Infrastructure and Pipes Act of 2016, or True LEADership Act (S.2821). The True LEADership Act is a comprehensive plan that

Merkley decries lack of action on e-cigarette rules

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday on the Senate floor, Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., denounced the Obama administration’s ongoing inaction in finalizing the proposed tobacco “deeming rule,” and called for the rule to be finalized as quickly as possible. Finalizing the rule is essential to putting in place regulations for e-cigarettes and other

Senate Turns to Energy Appropriations Without Flint Funds

The Senate’s upcoming appropriations bill on energy and water development won’t include a battle over Flint’s water infrastructure. But, like any spending bill, it sports some debate about controversial riders. On tap are amendments to defund the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean Water Rule and address the impact of the crude

Wyden, Merkley Seek Improved Federal Air Quality Programs

Washington, DC  — U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are urging their colleagues to improve federal air quality programs in the wake of several Portland neighborhoods learning last month that there are high levels of heavy metals in the air.   “The EPA aims to protect air quality but, as

Lawmakers Question New FDA Leader on Opioids, Biosimilars

March 2 (BNA) — Opioid abuse and lack of biosimilar guidance continue to be pressing issues for the FDA, senators told the new head of the agency March 2. Robert Califf appeared on Capitol Hill for the first time as the head of the FDA, testifying at a brief hearing

The Proposal That Could Keep Medical Debt From Trashing Your Credit Score

The 43 million Americans estimated to have medical debt on their credit reports could find some credit score relief should a new Senate bill come to pass. Five senators —Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.),  Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) — introduced legislation late last week that

Merkley Statement on Senate Action to Take on Opioids Crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley released the following statement after the U.S. Senate held a bipartisan vote to bring a bill to the floor to help take on the growing opioid crisis across America: “As the opioid crisis has spread throughout America, no corner of our state has

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