Tag: Health Care

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

Merkley, Durbin, Blumenthal, Menendez, Schumer Introduce Medical Debt Relief Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley and Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) introduced the Medical Debt Relief Act. This legislation would prevent medical debt from continuing to damage consumers’ credit scores after it has been paid off or settled,

Merkley takes a stand against medical debt

U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley today unveiled legislation that would ensure consumers’ credit scores aren’t permanently hurt by unpaid medical bills. Merkley, an Oregon Democrat, said his Medical Debt Relief Act would “help get consumers back on their feet and restore our economy.” He noted that millions of Americans have racked up medical

Merkley Pushes EPA Official for Action on Portland Air Contamination

Portland, OR. — Today, Oregon’s Senator Jeff Merkley pressed the top administration official on air quality during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee meeting for assurances that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would take all necessary steps to provide answers and solutions to residents of Portland, Oregon about the

‘Disgusted’ residents sound off on Portland air pollution

SALEM — Activists on Tuesday accused state regulators of dragging their feet after discovering serious air pollution in Southeast Portland and beyond, some of them telling lawmakers they could face life-threatening ailments. Worried residents told a House committee they’ve lost faith in the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s ability to keep

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