Democratic Senate Challenger; member of State House
Address the nursing shortage
Jeff strongly supports the Capps Nurse Reinvestment Act and would sponsor similar legislation in the US Senate. This plan establishes a National Nurse Service
Corps to provide educational scholarships to nurses that commit to serve in a health facility determined to have a critical shortage of nurses.
Grants would also be available to help individuals at any level of the nursing profession-from a nursing aide to an individual pursuing a doctoral degree--obtaining more education. The bill also provides funding for public service announcements and
supports nursing recruitment grants for educational facilities. In addition, it would expand Medicare and Medicaid funding for clinical nursing education and reimburses some home health agencies, hospices and nursing homes for nurse training.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Support Healthy Americans Act: universal comprehensive care
One of Jeff’s first acts as Oregon’s next US Senator will be to sign on as a cosponsor of Oregon Senator Wyden’s health care bill, the Healthy Americans Act.
The Healthy Americans Act would guarantee every American universal, affordable, comprehensive, portable, high-quality health coverage that is as good or better than members of Congress have today.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Take on insurance & pharmaceutical companies
Jeff has fought to improve health care quality and access in Oregon. He’s ready to take on the insurance companies and the pharmaceutical companies to ensure that every American has access to affordable, quality health care coverage. It’s becoming more
difficult for working families to pay for visits to the doctor and essential medicine. It’s unacceptable that some Americans are without health care. In the US Senate, Jeff will fight for universal access to affordable, quality health care coverage.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Provide affordable quality health care to all Americans
In twelve years Gordon Smith has failed to endorse any plan to make quality health care affordable. One of Merkley’s first acts as Oregon’s next US Senator will be to sign on as a co-sponsor of Senator Wyden’s Healthy American’s
Act, which will guarantee every American universal, affordable, comprehensive, portable, high-quality health coverage that is as good or better than Members of Congress have today.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Fully fund the VA health care system
Veterans often are forced to wait months for an appointment to see a doctor, and very often they have to travel great distances for care because there are too few facilities to provide effective treatment.
The disgraceful conditions at Walter Reed Army Medical Center are symptomatic of a system-wide problem that must be addressed immediately.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Provide children with the health care they need
Provide children with the health care they need: healthy children learn better.
Every American child deserves health care. Healthy children miss less school days and learn better overall.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Jun 3, 2008
Health care for all Americans
Health Care for All Americans: Every American deserves to be in control of their own health security, without fear of losing coverage or of not being able to find a doctor. Our representatives in Congress ought to be looking out for the health security
of all Oregonians. Read more.
Source: Campaign website, www.jeffmerkley.com, “Issues”
Mar 2, 2008
Voted YES on regulating tobacco as a drug.
Congressional Summary:Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) to provide for the regulation of tobacco products by the Secretary of Health and Human Services through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Defines a tobacco product as any product made or derived from tobacco that is intended for human consumption. Excludes from FDA authority the tobacco leaf and tobacco farms.
Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. HEATH SHULER (D, NC-11): Putting a dangerous, overworked FDA in charge of tobacco is a threat to public safety. Last year, the FDA commissioner testified that he had serious concerns that this bill could undermine the public health role of the FDA. And the FDA Science Board said the FDA's inability to keep up with scientific advancements means that Americans' lives will be at risk.
Proponent's argument to vote Yes:
Rep. HENRY WAXMAN (D, CA-30): The bill before us, the Waxman-Platts bill, has been carefully crafted over more than a decade, in close consultation with the public health community. It's been endorsed by over 1,000 different public health, scientific, medical, faith, and community organizations.
Sen. HARRY REID (D, NV): Yesterday, 3,500 children who had never smoked before tried their first cigarette. For some, it will also be their last cigarette but certainly not all. If you think 3,500 is a scary number, how about 3.5 million. That is a pretty scary number. That is how many American high school kids smoke--3.5 million. Nearly all of them aren't old enough to buy cigarettes. It means we have as many boys and girls smoking as are participating in athletics in high schools. We have as many as are playing football, basketball, track and field, and baseball combined.
Reference: Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act;
Bill HR1256&S982
; vote number 2009-S207
on Jun 11, 2009
Voted YES on expanding the Children's Health Insurance Program.
Congressional Summary:
Reauthorizes State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through FY2013 at increased levels.
Gives states the option to cover targeted low-income pregnant women
Phases out coverage for nonpregnant childless adults.
Proponent's argument to vote Yes:
Rep. FRANK PALLONE (D, NJ-6): In the last Congress, we passed legislation that enjoyed bipartisan support as well as the support of the American people. Unfortunately, it did not enjoy the support of the President, who vetoed our bill twice, and went on to proclaim that uninsured children can simply go to the emergency room to have their medical needs met. As the Nation moves deeper into a recession and unemployment rates continue to rise, millions of Americans are joining the ranks of the uninsured, many of whom are children. We can't delay. We must enact this legislation now.
Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. ROY BLUNT (R, MI-7):
This bill doesn't require the States to meet any kind of threshold standard that would ensure that States were doing everything they could to find kids who needed insurance before they begin to spend money to find kids who may not have the same need. Under the bill several thousands of American families would be poor enough to qualify for SCHIP and have the government pay for their health care, but they'd be rich enough to still be required to pay the alternative minimum tax. The bill changes welfare participation laws by eliminating the 5-year waiting period for legal immigrants to lawfully reside in the country before they can participate in this program. In the final bill, we assume that 65% of the children receiving the benefit wouldn't get the benefit anymore. It seems to me this bill needs more work, would have benefited from a committee hearing. It doesn't prioritize poor kids to ensure that they get health care first.
Reference: SCHIP Reauthorization Act;
Bill H.R.2
; vote number 2009-S031
on Jan 29, 2009
Expand the National Health Service Corps.
Merkley signed Access for All America Act
A bill to achieve access to comprehensive primary health care services for all Americans and to reform the organization of primary care delivery through an expansion of the Community Health Center and National Health Service Corps programs. Amends the Public Health Service Act to:
increase and extend the authorization of appropriations for community health centers and for the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment program for FY2010-FY2015, and provide for increased funding for such programs in FY2016 and each subsequent fiscal year; and
revise and expand provisions allowing a community health center to provide services at different locations, adjust its operating plan and budget, enter into arrangements with other centers to purchase supplies and services at reduced cost, and correct material failures in grant compliance.
