Press Releases

Currently showing results related to Health Care

May 21, 2009

Wyden, Gregg, Blumenauer Put Patients in the Driver's Seat

Washington, DC - Giving Medicare patients a greater role in their care while containing costs of that care, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Judd Gregg (R-N.H.) along with U.S. Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-Ore.) today introduced the Empowering Medicare Patient Choices Act. The bill will create a "shared decision-making process" between physicians and patients, offering incentives for doctors to inform patients of all their treatment options, and the risks and benefits of those … Continue Reading

May 21, 2009

Wyden, Markey Introduce "Independence at Home" Act

Washington, D.C. - With the goal of keeping chronically ill Medicare patients in their homes and also improving their health care, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and U.S. Representative Ed Markey (D-Mass.) co-chairman of the Bi-Partisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's Disease and senior member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, today introduced the "Independence at Home Act." The bill will create a pilot program to bring primary care medical services to Medicare beneficiaries with … Continue Reading

March 30, 2009

25 Oregon Health Clinics to Receive $5.2 Million in Federal Economic Recovery Funds

Washington, D.C. - Recognizing the importance of improved health care to a strong economy, Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that $5.2 million in funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be going to 25 health clinics in 20 Oregon communities. "Addressing our nation's health care crisis is an essential element in having a healthy nation and a healthy economy," Wyden said. "This money will be used to expand health care services throughout Oregon, … Continue Reading

March 12, 2009

Wyden Statement on the HRSA Grant to the LaPine Community Clinic

Washington, D.C. - The La Pine Community Health Clinic has been awarded a $638,646 grant for the period March 1, 2009 through February 28, 2010. The agency that administers the grant program is the Health Resources and Services Administration. Half the money will be available immediately. The other half of the money will be available soon now that the Omnibus has been signed. The clinic is also eligible for funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. "This Federal grant of more than … Continue Reading

March 10, 2009

Senators Announce Health, Education and Energy Funding for Southern Oregon

Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 includes nearly $250 million for Oregon projects including $1.5 million to construct a geothermal power plant and $700, 000 for improvements to 9-1-1 services. These funds are part of the annual funding for Fiscal Year 2009, and will complement the funding provided through the economic recovery legislation last month."It is essential that Oregon remain on the cutting edge … Continue Reading

March 10, 2009

Wyden, Merkley Secure Funding for Public Safety, Health, and Jobs Projects in Central Oregon

Washington, D.C. - Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced today that the Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2009 includes nearly $250 million for Oregon projects including $2 million to purchase land in the Columbia River Gorge, $300,000 for an updated 9-1-1 service in Wasco County, $238,000 for a project to aid families to improve the physical and mental health of disadvantaged children, and $232,000 to boost the growth of central Oregon's technology industry. These funds are part of … Continue Reading

February 06, 2009

Bipartisan Senate Coalition Introduces First Comprehensive Health Reform Bill of 2009

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Bob Bennett (R-Utah) led a bipartisan coalition of 13 Senators today in offering the Healthy Americans Act (S.391), the first piece of legislation in Senate history to assemble such broad-based, bipartisan support for guaranteeing that every American has quality, affordable health care. The Healthy Americans Act introduced today improves on the version first offered in the 110th Congress with the inclusion of several innovative additions … Continue Reading

January 22, 2009

Wyden, Crapo and Walden Introduce Legislation to Improve Patient Access to Hospitals in Rural, Under-Served Areas of Oregon and Nationally

Washington, D.C. - Eliminating bureaucratic barriers that made it harder for rural residents and veterans to receive health care, Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Representative Greg Walden (R-Ore.) introduced legislation today that would improve access to nearly 1,300 hospitals in rural, under-served areas of the nation. Twenty-five of the hospitals are in Oregon. The Critical Access Hospital Flexibility Act of 2009 would give small, rural hospitals greater flexibility in … Continue Reading

November 21, 2008

15 Senate Sponsors of the Healthy Americans Act Outline a "Roadmap" for Building Bipartisan Consensus on Health Reform

November 19, 2008

Wyden Applauds Daschle Selection

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September 26, 2008

Wyden, Markey Introduce "Independence at Home" Act

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September 19, 2008

Senator Wyden Welcomes the AMA to the Fight For Health Care Reform

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September 17, 2008

Independent Health Reform Analysis: Middle Class Wins Under Healthy Americans Act

July 28, 2008

16 Senators to McCain/Obama: "Work With Us on Health Reform"

July 16, 2008

Oregon Health, Education Facilities Slated for Federal Funds

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) today announced that $200,000 for repairs to the flood-ravaged Vernonia schools is included in an appropriations bill for Oregon health and education projects. The money is part of $3.1 million in Oregon projects in the recently approved Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations bill. This is the first step for appropriations funding. Next the bill will come before the full Senate."From after-school programs in … Continue Reading

July 16, 2008

Conquer Childhood Cancer Act Passes Senate

WASHINGTON, DC - Honoring his friend, Jenessa "Boey" Byers, who earlier this year succumbed to childhood cancer, U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) requested unanimous consent this evening to pass the Conquer Childhood Cancer Act. The bill was originally introduced by U.S. Senators Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) in 2007. After Ms. Byers began her one-girl crusade to secure passage of the bill in Congress, Wyden signed on as a co-sponsor of the legislation. She was only eight … Continue Reading

July 07, 2008

Cantwell Co-Sponsors Healthy Americans Act

Washington DC - Bipartisan legislation to guarantee quality, affordable health care for every American gained momentum today as U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Bob Bennett (R-Utah) welcomed U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) as a co-sponsor of the Healthy Americans Act (S.334). The growing list of co-sponsors now totals 16 senators including: U.S. Senators Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Judd Gregg (R-NH), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Mary … Continue Reading

June 03, 2008

Speech: Wyden Addresses OHSU Graduates at 2008 Commencement

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) delivered the following speech at Oregon Health and Science University's Commencement Exercises on Tuesday, June 3, 2008.Dr. Robertson, graduates, parents, distinguished guests. I'm Senator Ron Wyden, the United States Senator who you may know as the author of the "all-important" amendment to the amendment to the amendment on some bill or another. I'm also proud to be known as the father who watched Dr. Mark Nichols, his OHSU staff of nurses, physician assistants and … Continue Reading

May 01, 2008

CBO and Joint Tax Find Healthy Americans Act Would Lead to Surpluses after 2014

WASHINGTON, DC - After analyzing the bipartisan Healthy Americans Act (S. 334), the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (Joint Tax) today released a report that found the Act would be roughly budget neutral in 2014 and found that implementation of the Act would actually create surpluses after that year. The findings were released by CBO Director, Peter Orszag, in a closed-door briefing with a bipartisan group of cosponsors. Copies of the CBO/Joint Tax Report … Continue Reading

April 24, 2008

Senators Expand Employer and Employee Choices for Affordable, Universal Coverage Under the Healthy Americans Act

Washington DC - Continuing their effort to modernize the employer - employee healthcare relationship, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) introduced an amendment to the Healthy Americans Act (S.334) that makes it clear that working within the HAA framework, employers can choose to continue offering health care as a benefit to their employees."We are pleased to be able to expand the array of choices that will be available … Continue Reading

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