The Democratic Women’s Caucus is Fighting for Your Health Care From Coast to Coast

October 16, 2025
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, women across the country received notices with massive premium increases because of the Republican health care crisis. In many cases, premiums are doubling for women and working families. While Republicans are on day 20 of their vacation, 

Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) members are fighting for affordable health care for women and girls all across the country  at town halls, community meetings, rallies, and more.

DWC has one message: It is time for Speaker Johnson to call the House back into session so we can address the Republican health care crisis, swear-in Rep.-Elect Adelita Grijalva, and reopen the government. This week, DWC members:

Rallied for Health Care: 

"Republicans allowed our government to shut down. They're off on vacation somewhere, and we're headed for a full blown healthcare crisis," said Rep. Lucy McBath.

Visited Medical Centers:

Rep. Maggie Goodlander said,“Republican healthcare cuts—the biggest in history—are throwing our system into a full-blown crisis and jacking up your costs. Protecting and strengthening your healthcare means reversing these cuts, so that we can lower the sky-high costs that are crushing hardworking Americans.”

“We’ve reached a pivotal point in our country’s core responsibility to take care of the safety, health and well being of its people. Our federal delegation did not want a shutdown, and we worked hard to avert it. But we must stand with Governor Moore and other state and local officials to push back against cuts to Medicaid and work to extend ACA tax credits and against a policy which will make life harder and less affordable for working Maryland families. Slashes to Medicaid could also force our rural health providers—like those in Western Maryland—to shutter or cut critical services.” said Rep. McClain Delaney. “This is about our values and who we are as Americans. We cannot let this administration ‘Make America Break’ and must stand with our Governor and Maryland officials against our state being held hostage to partisanship, retribution and cruel hearted cuts.  In Maryland, we leave no one behind.”

Connected with Community Members and Essential Workers:

“The hurt and harm of this Republican-manufactured government shutdown is being felt all across our district, with workers and families seeing their lives and livelihoods threatened thanks to Donald Trump’s cruelty,” said Rep. Ayanna Pressley. “While Republicans move with contempt for the people and push our country into a dangerous shutdown, I’m centering the people most impacted and fighting daily to reopen the government, keep essential services running, and mitigate the shameful healthcare crisis Republicans created. I’m so grateful for the solidarity of our workers, families, and labor leaders from across the Massachusetts 7th.”

"Republicans used their legislative power to gut our health care system. Now Democrats will use every legislative tool we have to restore it and to fight for our constituents. Democrats’ demands are simple. Extend the enhanced premium tax credits. Protect Medicaid. Keep health care affordable and accessible for every American family.  That is the only responsible path forward," said Rep. Doris Matsui.

“We are here today with a very simple message: Shutdowns don’t fly. Our federal workforce directly and acutely feels the impacts of a government shutdown – including the 44,000 federal workers in Maryland’s Third District. These folks are our neighbors, but they are the ones who keep our skies safe and make sure thousands of Americans can get to where they need to go each and every day. I want to say thank you to these federal workers. They are simply not hearing that enough from their federal government these days,” said Rep. Sarah Elfreth.

Hosted Town Halls and Telephone Town Halls to Connect with Their Communities:


“I hosted a town hall on the Republican Shutdown with hundreds of our neighbors.  Folks packed the room and asked incredibly thoughtful questions about what this shutdown will mean for them and how we can continue to hold the line to protect health care,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal.

  • Rep. Luz Rivas (CA-29), heard from many constituents during her telephone town hall who are scared about how the Republican shutdown will make life harder for them. Over 16,000 constituents joined the call.

“I heard from many constituents who are scared about how the Republican shutdown will make life harder for them,” said Rep. Luz Rivas.

 In response to the final question of the town hall, which was, “How do you stay positive in times like this?” Rep. Deborah Ross answered, "When people of goodwill and good hearts who care about their neighbors stop working, that's when I lose hope. But I see so many examples of people coming together to speak up, to show up, to care about their neighbors, to do the right thing… that’s what gets me up every morning."

Emphasized the Importance of Fighting for Lower Health Care on The Radio, TV, and Livestreams:

“From the economic attacks on women, to the attacks on our health care, to their comments that we should just stay home and take abuse when it's given to us. My colleagues and I know that there is a target on the back of women's progress by Trump and the MAGA project, and that is why we work so hard,” said Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández.

"We have the chance to protect the health care of millions of Americans. We need to take it,” said Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

“Republicans control the House, the Senate, and White House.  They have not only the ability but the responsibility to prevent—and now to end—a government shutdown by putting a bill on the floor of the House and the Senate that has the votes to pass.  It’s that simple,” said Rep. Lizzie Fletcher.  “This Congress has given away its power to direct government funding to the White House.  And the White House has demanded that Congress just allow it continue to proceed with its disastrous policies—including raising costs, cutting healthcare, and more—with no accountability or oversight.  That is no way to govern.”   

“Congressional Democrats have made clear that we want to keep the government open,” Rep. Lizzie Fletcher continued.  “I returned to Washington this week for this purpose, and I am committed to doing so.  I am ready to work to find a bipartisan solution on a spending bill that protects health care coverage for millions of Americans and that funds our government in a responsible manner.”

Engaged With Women and Girls from Across the Country on Social Media:

 

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