Oregon Democrat Jeff Merkley has initiated an investigation into the country's two largest child care companies, KinderCare Learning Companies and Learning Care Group, which are controlled by private equity, as part of an inquiry into rising childcare prices. The senator has requested detailed information about how these firms operate and has highlighted concerns about affordability, staffing, and access, as well as financial pressure on Wall Street to raise prices, constrain labor costs, or increase capacity in higher-revenue markets. He also highlighted that eight of the 10 largest childcare firms are owned by equity, and studies have found that such centers are more likely to have staffing shortages, lower wages and higher prices. Both companies have stated their commitment to providing quality care.