On 61st Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, Democratic Party of Oregon Responds to Donald Trump’s Devastating Cuts

For Immediate Release
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

Portland, OR - Democratic Party of Oregon Chair Nathan Soltz issued the following statement on the 61st anniversary of the creation of Medicare and Medicaid as Donald Trump and extreme Republicans gut these critical programs:

"The Medicare and Medicaid programs are vital to the health and prosperity of Oregonians, with roughly 1 in 5 Oregonians depending on Medicare for health care services, and 1 in 3 receiving services through Medicaid. At the same time, Donald Trump and extremist Republicans like Christine Drazan seem to be dead set on attacking that health care, making services less affordable for our most vulnerable friends and neighbors.

"Drazan has remained silent while Trump gutted Oregonians' health care in his Big Ugly Bill, voted against expanding Medicaid access in Oregon, and tried to block efforts to increase funding for Oregon's Medicaid program.This is not what leadership looks like.

"Donald Trump's latest attempt to raise costs on Oregonians by ending Medicare prescription drug subsidies is a brazen act of cruelty aimed directly at Oregon seniors. Many seniors are dependent on fixed incomes, and a price increase like this can mean choosing between a life-saving prescription, food on the table, or a roof over their head. When it comes to health care policy, Republicans don't seem to have a plan beyond raising costs and reducing coverage. Oregonians deserve better than Donald Trump and Christine Drazan."

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