Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on CMS Medicaid Waiver

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement on Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approving state Medicaid waivers that would put up new barriers to enroll in the program:

"The vast majority of Americans in Medicaid either already have a job, if not two or three, or are unable to work due to age or impairment. This action by the Trump administration goes after people who are just trying to get by while taking care of their kids or elderly parents, struggling with a chronic condition, or going to school," Wyden said.

"I've long said if you or your family don't have your health, everything else falls to the wayside - including the ability to find and keep steady work. Health care is a right that shouldn't be contingent on the ideological agendas of politicians - today the Trump administration has taken a big step in the wrong direction."