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 Joins Senate Probe of Trump’s Cuts to Child Care for Rural Families
“Trump vowed to lower costs for Americans, yet his administration’s actions…make this [child care crisis] worse.” Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley joined a group of Senators in announcing a new investigation into how the Trump Administration’s cuts to affordable child care programs are affecting rural families. The
Merkley, Underwood Honor 130th Anniversary of the American Nurses Association
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and U.S. Representative Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14) introduced a bicameral resolution recognizing 2026 as ‘‘The Year of The Power of Nurses’’ in celebration of the 130th anniversary of the American Nurses Association. (ANA). “Our nurses make the world better, one bedside at a
Merkley, Scott Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Fight Opioid Overdose in Schools, Support School Access to Naloxone
Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Florida’s U.S. Senator Rick Scott teamed up to reintroduce their bipartisan School Access to Naloxone Act. The bipartisan legislation would ensure school personnel have the training and education to administer lifesaving drugs and devices for emergency treatment in cases of
Wyden, Merkley Raise Alarm Over Loss of Mental Health Access in Eastern Oregon
Senators: Trump and congressional Republicans’ budget bill threatens essential mental care for nearly 800 Malheur County residents enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today wrote health care providers serving Malheur County to ask how they’ll ensure nearly 800 residents keep access
Merkley, Baldwin, Booker, 41 Senators: No New Anti-LGBTQ+, Anti-Abortion Provisions in Must-Pass Government Funding Bills
“Partisan, discriminatory, and harmful policy riders have no place in must-pass legislation such as appropriations bills” Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley, Wisconsin’s U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin, and New Jersey’s U.S. Senator Cory Booker led a group of over 40 Senators to urge Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan
Merkley Puts Support Behind Expanding Workplace Rights for Domestic Workers
Bill by Sens. Gillibrand, Luján Would Guarantee Domestic Workers Basic Rights Such as Overtime Pay, Time Off, Sick Leave, Meal and Rest Breaks, and Legal Protections from Harassment and Unsafe Working Conditions Washington, D.C. – Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley announced his continued support for the reintroduced Domestic Workers Bill
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