October 6, 2022 3:00 a.m.

Oregon Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have applauded the Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed rule to prohibit discrimination in health care and urged HHS to strengthen protections for people with disabilities, trans people, and those seeking care for pregnancy and related conditions.

The senator’s letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and Civil Rights Director Melanie Fontes Rainer said, “This proposal is an important step forward to help ensure no one in our country has their health care undermined by discrimination or bigotry and we urge the Department to further strengthen protections for people with disabilities, trans people, and people seeking care for pregnancy, infertility, or related conditions”.

The senators said recent and ongoing threats to health care access underscore why, “…eliminating discrimination in health care programs and activities remains an essential goal”.

Wyden and Merkley said, “…it is important as ever that the Administration work to ensure everyone has the right to get the care they need – and undo the harm caused to patients by the Trump administration rule”.

The letter was led by Senators Patty Murray of Washington and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, along with Wyden. Alongside Merkley, the letter was sign by fourteen other senators.

The full letter is linked: https://www.help.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/FINAL%20Senate%20Dems%201557%20Letter.pdf