Sen. Wyden Issues Statement on Texas Medicaid Waiver

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 -- Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, ranking Democratic member of the Senate Finance Committee, issued the following statement:

Senate Finance Committee Ranking Member Ron Wyden, D-Ore., issued a statement after the Trump administration approved a Medicaid waiver submitted by Texas that would allow the state to exclude providers like Planned Parenthood that provide a host of women's health services:

"This waiver is grossly offensive to women and their chosen health providers," Wyden said. "The Trump administration claims to support empowering patients and their doctors, but apparently women still need Uncle Sam's permission to see the provider they trust. Approval of this waiver is completely contrary to the purpose and design of Medicaid, and adds to a long list of attacks on Americans' health care, from women's health coverage to the ongoing assault on protections for those with pre-existing conditions."