Speaker Jeff Merkley Pledges to Support Senator Wyden’s “Healthy Americans Act”

Republican Gordon Smith Sides with Special Interests, Refuses to Support Bipartisan Legislation

Speaker Jeff Merkley today restated his pledge to co-sponsor Senator Ron Wyden’s Healthy Americans Act. Republican Gordon Smith has refused to co-sponsor the legislation, which would provide affordable, quality health care for every American (The Oregonian, 2/25/08). Six Republicans and six Democrats have already signed on as co-sponsors of the bipartisan bill.

“One of the first things I will do in the U.S. Senate is fight alongside Ron Wyden on behalf of his bipartisan effort to provide every American with access to affordable, quality health care,” said Speaker Jeff Merkley. “Today Oregon has one senator working to make health care affordable and one senator fighting for special interests who support his campaign.”

“When it comes to health care, I get my perspective from my wife, Mary, a professional nurse who sees the system through the eyes of those who ought to matter most – patients and their families – not the big drug companies and big insurance companies. The time for a 'discussion' of health care is past. The American people need solutions to the health care crisis -- not more talk, and more Senators who side with special interests against reform.”

Asked why [Smith has refused to support the bill], Smith's office issued a written statement saying Smith thinks the bill "is helping our national discussion on health care reform," and he will keep talking to Wyden. (The Oregonian, 2/25/08)

Smith has taken over $254,000 from the pharmaceutical industry and more than $557,000 from the insurance industry for his Senate campaigns (Source: Center for Responsive Politics).

Smith’s position puts him out of step with even the most conservative members of his own party, such as staunch conservative Senator Bob Bennett of Utah, the chief co-sponsor of the bill Senator Wyden’s bill.

Posted February 25, 2008
Press