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Medicare for all, debt-free college: Oregon senators reveal plans for Democratic-controlled Congress
KGW ^ | November 9, 2026 | Harley Coldiron

Posted on 11/10/2026 3:53:57 PM PST by MinorityRepublican

Medicare for All, debt-free college and lower everyday costs are among the priorities Oregon's two U.S. senators hope to advance as Democrats prepare to take control of Congress.

Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley see the election results as a major opportunity, but also as a test of whether Democrats can deliver on their promises. Both have ambitious agendas, though passing legislation in a divided Washington could prove challenging.

"My agenda is gonna be affordability for us and accountability for Republicans and special interests," Wyden said.

Merkley echoed that focus, saying Democrats need to show voters they can make a difference in their daily lives.

"Education, housing, healthcare, and daycare — we need to make some very clear advances on affordability," Merkley said.

Both senators want to restore enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies after Oregon's average monthly marketplace health insurance premium increased by $154 this year.

Merkley is also pushing to make college debt-free, while both senators support Medicare for All.

But not all Democrats agree on how far to go with health care reform. Some favor creating a public insurance option rather than moving to a Medicare for All system.

Wyden said he wants to push for the most expansive coverage possible.

"Get the boldest system that we can possibly can, the boldest system that has the most expansive coverage and most aggressive cost containment," Wyden said.

(Excerpt) Read more at kgw.com ...


TOPICS: US: Oregon
KEYWORDS:
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1 posted on 11/10/2026 3:53:57 PM PST by MinorityRepublican
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To: MinorityRepublican

Debt free college?

Room and board?

You know, I need to study some basket weaving.


2 posted on 11/10/2026 3:55:25 PM PST by Scrambler Bob ( My pronoun is EXIT. Generally full of /S -- Living with Havana Syndrome -infected from Main Stream)
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To: All

Get the government out of student loan business and colleges will be close to debt free tuition.


3 posted on 11/10/2026 3:56:00 PM PST by escapefromboston (Peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations, entangling alliances with none.)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Everyone is entitled to beachfront property in Florida.


4 posted on 11/10/2026 3:56:35 PM PST by ClearCase_guy (Some people want to control their own life, others want to control the lives of others. )
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To: MinorityRepublican

5 posted on 11/10/2026 3:59:51 PM PST by CivilWarBrewing (Get off my back for my usage of CAPS, especially you snowflake males! MAN UP!)
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To: MinorityRepublican
Everything FREE, FREE, FREE!!! I just don't understand why somebody didn't think of that before.

After they execute all the billionaires and confiscate their wealth, then what?

6 posted on 11/10/2026 4:01:32 PM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: MinorityRepublican

“Get the boldest system that we can possibly can, the boldest system that has the most expansive coverage and most aggressive cost containment,” Wyden said.”

Which can only result in rationing. There are three elements of health care that are like a chinese menu.
You can cover everyone.
You can have low cost.
You can have high quality.
You can only pick two.


7 posted on 11/10/2026 4:03:42 PM PST by DugwayDuke (Most pick the expert who says the things they agree with.)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

Then it’s us. It doesn’t take a Rhodes Scholar to figure it out.


8 posted on 11/10/2026 4:07:54 PM PST by Equine1952 (MM1SS SASOBe)
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To: MinorityRepublican

Free shit for everyone.🤩

It’s amazing that this country had to wait 250 years to raise a generation of enlightened to figure that one out -enabled of course by a $50 per hour minimum wage


9 posted on 11/10/2026 4:11:25 PM PST by rdcbn1 (..when poets buy guns, tourist season is over................Walter R. Mead)
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To: ProtectOurFreedom

That is one scary picture.


10 posted on 11/10/2026 4:14:20 PM PST by crusty old prospector
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To: MinorityRepublican

When and where is accountability for democrats?


11 posted on 11/10/2026 4:21:37 PM PST by Bosco127 (Bosco)
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To: rdcbn1
Free shit for everyone.

Democrats: "Massive debt for everyone (except for non-Republicans)!"

That's what they really want, to financially break all conservatives, who pay the massive taxes to cover "free" stuff.

12 posted on 11/10/2026 4:28:55 PM PST by roadcat ( )
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To: MinorityRepublican

Hi...debt free college, eh,?

Nationaliization of the education. That means that every human being employed at every two, four year college and those 90 day wonder schools will become a government employee.


13 posted on 11/10/2026 4:32:44 PM PST by Terry L Smith
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To: MinorityRepublican

“the boldest system that has the most expansive coverage and most aggressive cost containment”

A system that covers everything, yet costs almost nothing.

Yeah, that’s gonna work perfectly.
Or maybe not.


14 posted on 11/10/2026 4:34:10 PM PST by Leaning Right
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