Chair's Press

Murray, Shaheen, Duckworth, Hirono, and Smith speak out against bill that threatens medical providers with jail time for letting medical standards—not politics—guide care, and interferes with women’s deeply personal medical decisions   Murray: “This bill is government interference in women’s health care, in...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement after a court ruled that federal prosecutors in the case against serial child abuser Jeffrey Epstein broke the law by hiding information about his plea deal from survivors of...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on the Trump-Pence Administration’s rule making it illegal for health care providers at clinics that receive Title X family planning program funds to refer...

11 Senate Democrats urge Department to explain how new apprenticeship program is within the bounds of the law   Last week, Department of Labor cancelled an announcement of new apprenticeship funds; reports suggest turmoil surrounding Trump Administration apprenticeship initiative   Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray...

Democratic health leaders: “If implemented, the policies in the proposed rule would result in thousands of people losing coverage, millions of dollars in premium increases, higher out-of-pocket costs even for those with employer coverage, and even tighter restrictions on women’s access to coverage for reproductive health services than...

 Sens. Murray, Harris, and Hassan, and Rep. Cummings question the Trump Administration’s review of a rule that would restrict women’s access to care and institute a domestic gag rule on health care providers.   Washington, D.C.—Today, Senator Patty Murray, the Ranking Member of the Senate Health,...

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, issued the following statement on Senator McConnell’s announcement of a show vote on anti-abortion legislation leading medical organizations have vocally opposed.   “This bill is...

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on report released by the Department of Education’s independent watchdog, the Office of Inspector General, which found internal failures at the Department to...

Senator Murray and Congressman Scott ask Government Accountability Office to examine cybersecurity of the private retirement system   Members call for oversight of policies to protect plan participants, and their personal data, from cyberthreats   As of 2017 over $5 trillion dollars are held in defined contribution plans like...

At HELP hearing, Senator Murray highlights the need to make sure patients living with pain can access the treatments they need    20 million people suffer from persistent chronic pain that interferes with their work and daily activities   Murray: “We have to find responsible, comprehensive solutions for pain management that...

Senators Murray and Alexander send bipartisan letter to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Health asking about efforts to promote vaccination and vaccine confidence as multiple states face outbreaks of measles   Already this year, 79 measles cases have been confirmed, following...

Washington, D.C. – Today U.S. Senator Patty Murray issued the following statement on the Department of Justice (DOJ) announcement that its Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) has opened an investigation into the DOJ’s prosecution of serial child rapist Jeffrey Epstein.   “As I’ve made clear, it’s crucial...

Survivors’ Access to Supportive Care Act helps develop national standards of care for survivors of sexual assault and tackle barriers they face when seeking care   2016 GAO report requested by Senator Murray found major barriers for survivors seeking care after sexual assault   SASCA introduced in Senate with more...

At HELP hearing, Senator Murray highlights innovative primary care approaches in Washington state driving down health costs and improving outcomes   Murray emphasized the importance of addressing barriers to primary care access like cost, distance, and language   Murray: “While primary care providers can play a critical role in...

Murray leads HELP Committee Democrats in writing to pharmaceutical companies demanding explanation of rising insulin prices   Diabetes costs have risen 26 percent since 2012, making it the most costly chronic condition in the country   One-in-four diabetes patients have reported rationing medication because of cost   House Energy and...

Senator Murray, Chairman Scott, and Chair DeLauro Warn DeVos’ New Acting Inspector General Could Block Investigations into Education Department Actions   WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, Congressman Bobby Scott...

In comment letter to Secretary DeVos, 36 Senate Democrats urged Secretary DeVos to withdraw her Title IX proposal, listen to survivors, and write a rule that will build on progress made to keep students safe from sexual assault and harassment   Sexual assault and harassment are widespread epidemics in classrooms, schools, and on college...

Paycheck Fairness Act would strengthen and close loopholes in the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and ensure women are paid what they deserve   Bill introduction comes 10 years after President Obama passed the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, marking an important step in the fight to end the gender wage gap   Paycheck Fairness Act was cosponsored by...

At HELP hearing, Murray emphasizes impact of funding uncertainty last year on community health centers and the families they serve, touts bipartisan bill to provide stable funding for years to come   Community health centers help 27 million patients a year find care close to home   Teaching health centers and the National Health Service...

Murray demands answers from Johnson & Johnson CEO following Reuters report indicating the company covered up potential asbestos in its baby powder for decades   Murray: “I am troubled by recent reports of an alleged decades-long effort by Johnson & Johnson to potentially mislead regulators and consumers about the safety of one of...