Tag: Health Care

Merkley applauds new FDA tobacco rules

WASHINGTON – Sen. Jeff Merkley D-Ore., released the following statement Thursday after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that the Food and Drug Administration’s tobacco deeming rule was finalized and will now go into effect: “The tobacco regulation rule announced today by the FDA is a critical milestone for public

Wyden, Merkley push for capping Rx prices, allowing Medicare to negotiate

U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley came to Portland Wednesday to stump for federal legislation that would cap prescription drug costs for seniors. “These prescription drug costs are clobbering older people in Oregon and across the country,” said Wyden, a Democrat and co-sponsor of the bill. “It’s a prescription of punishment, so many costs

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

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