Democratic Women’s Caucus Members Continue to Fight for the Affordable Health Care You Deserve

October 24, 2025
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) members continued to fight for affordable health care and the services you need to thrive. Families across the country are continuing to receive notices of health care premiums that have doubled or tripled because Republicans have failed to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits. This is placing an especially significant burden on women, who are the medical decision makers for their families 80% of the time. As we honor Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Months, members also advocated for care and support for patients and survivors. 

This week, DWC members:

Demanded Republicans Come to the Negotiating Table for Affordable Health Care & to Reopen the Government:

“If Republicans refuse to negotiate, women will shoulder the burden of the devastating consequences of the expiring ACA enhanced premium tax credits and historic cuts to Medicaid. Women take on 80% of the family's medical decision-making responsibilities, and almost 50% of women view themselves as the chief financial officer of their household. Therefore, women will predominantly be responsible for navigating the skyrocketing cost of health care for their households and safeguarding their families’ access to health care coverage,” the Members said in the letter.

"I want that same peace of mind for my constituents and for every American who gets sick. That's what they deserve. It is your right, it's not a privilege," said DWC Congressional Black Caucus Liaison Lucy McBath (GA-06).

Honored Domestic Violence Awareness Month:

  • On “Wear Purple Day,” to honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month, DWC members led by DWC Senate Liaison Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04) wore purple in honor of survivors and everyone impacted by domestic violence. 
  • Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) visited Bridges Domestic & Sexual Violence Support center in Nashua, NH to discuss their critical support and the services they provide to clients. 

"The fact is that domestic and sexual violence are really touching people across our state and our country. Bridges is an incredible team working around the clock, 24 hours a day. I'm really proud to be working alongside them,” said Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH-02).

  • If you or a loved one is experiencing domestic violence, call the 24-hour National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.

Fought for Constituents Impacted by the Government Shutdown:

  • DWC Reproductive Health Care Task Force Co-Chair & Liaison Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) advocated for National Grid to keep electricity running for Massachusetts households impacted by the Republican government shutdown. National Grid announced support for impacted households after Rep. Pressley’s advocacy. 

“Our dedicated federal workers, contractors, and their families are being harmed daily by Trump and Republicans’ government shutdown and cruel political games—and they need all the help they can get,” said DWC Reproductive Health Care Task Force Co-Chair & Liaison Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) . “While we work relentlessly to end this Republican-manufactured shutdown, this new payment plan option is an important resource for Massachusetts families and those in need of assistance should call the hotline without delay. I call on Eversource to follow suit and I continue to urge both utility companies to make sure the electricity and heat stay on for families across the Commonwealth.” 

  • DWC National Leaders & Advocacy Organizations Liaison Joyce Beatty (OH-03), DWC Vice Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13), DWC Communications Task Force Co-Chair Shontel Brown (OH-11), and Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-01) hosted a virtual town hall to highlight the real-life effects of the Republican government shutdown on families, small businesses, and federal workers across the state, including the impacts on nutrition programs like SNAP and WIC.
  • Rep. Nellie Pou (NJ-09) visited a WIC office in Paterson, NJ to raise awareness on the need for funding for nutrition programs like WIC, and advocated for an end to the Republican government shutdown.

“Because of the Republican government shutdown, WIC is running out of funding, and if Congress doesn’t reach a bipartisan agreement soon, the program could be severely affected. It’s time to stop the shutdown and reopen the government to protect WIC,” said Rep. Nellie Pou (NJ-09).

Advocated to Protect Women’s Access to Breast Cancer Preventive Care, Treatment & Research 

###