Senator Ron Wyden plans to reverse Medicaid cuts

Incoming Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Oregon, announced plans to use the committee to undo Republican-led cuts to Medicaid and work requirements scheduled to take effect on January 1.

Wyden stated that Democrats, who will hold a new majority in Congress this January, intend to move quickly to reinstall expired Affordable Care Act tax credits to combat rising healthcare premiums. To fund these subsidies and expand healthcare access, Wyden proposed his Billionaires Income Tax, which would target taxpayers with over $1 billion in assets or more than $100 million in annual income for three consecutive years.

Because President Donald Trump remains in office, Wyden noted that Democrats will need to either secure his signature on legislation or obtain sufficient Republican support to override potential presidential vetoes. Additionally, Wyden indicated he would use the committee to investigate efforts by the President to obtain blanket immunity for himself and his family members.