DWC Leaders, Democratic Whip Clark, Patients, & Small Business Owners Call on Trump & Republicans to Save Our Health Care

***Watch the press call here***

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Wednesday, September 17, 2025, leaders from the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) including DWC Progressive Caucus Liaison Jill Tokuda (HI-02), DWC Vice Chairs Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and Hillary Scholten (MI-03), and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) hosted a press call on the importance of protecting women’s and families’ access to affordable health care, especially as critical federal funding conversations ensue. Patient and small business storytellers joined the Members to speak about the direct impact of Trump’s and Republicans’ attacks on care. They spoke about how the higher costs of health care under Trump presents serious challenges for their families and for employees’ ability to access health care.

Trump and Republicans continue to attack women’s health care to fund tax cuts for their billionaire donors. They’re defunding health care research, prenatal care, and postpartum services—and causing hospital closures. But the Democratic Women's Caucus is committed to fighting for more affordable and accessible health care for women and families. Watch the full press call here.

Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05) on Republicans attacks on health care in the government funding process:

“Here we are again. Republicans are using their favorite tactic: Threaten the government shutdown to get what they want. And what is it they want this time? To further cut health care. To make life harder and more expensive. They've already kicked 15 million people off of their health care. They’ve cut Medicare by half a trillion dollars. They’re shutting down hospitals. They’ve defunded cancer screenings, prenatal care, and postpartum services. And now they want to double down. They want to cut another 4 million people off their coverage and raise premiums for everyone else.”

DWC Progressive Caucus Liaison Jill Tokuda (HI-02) on the need to protect health care now:

“If we don’t act right now, the premiums as a result of ACA tax credits not being extended will put $23 billion in tax hikes on middle class Americans. That is not going to improve health care access. That is not going to benefit our economy. We need to take action now. That is what House Democrats have been doing since day one. As the Democratic women in Congress, we know that it is critically important that we fight for our families, we fight for our children, we fight for health care.” 

DWC Vice Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13) on DWC’s continued fight for women:

“One thing that is very clear is that the Democratic Women’s Caucus is fighting for women. Not only are we fighting for women, we’re fighting for all Americans that are touched and influenced by women—so that’s everybody. And the important part of that is, we need to take care of the people who take care of so many of us, and that’s why saving our health care is so important.” 

DWC Vice Chair Hillary Scholten (MI-03) on the need to invest in protecting health care research:

“This administration has launched an unprecedented attack on scientific research…I know, in my district, in Michigan, individuals who are waiting, counting on the critical pediatric cancer research that is happening right now, so that their children may have a better chance at life. That’s all being shuttered and stopped, and for what? These are investments in our health care that we can afford. This is about priorities, and this administration is showing where their priorities are, and it’s not with women and families. We are gathered here today as lawmakers to remind you that we stand with you in protecting your health care.”

Elena Hung, Founder of Little Lobbyists, on the importance of Medicaid to her daughter Xiomara’s life:

“My daughter Xiomara is the joy of my life. She just celebrated her 11th birthday this summer and started the 5th grade! These are two milestones that were never ever promised to a medically complex disabled child like her. My daughter was born with a number of serious medical conditions affecting her airway, lungs, heart, and kidneys. She uses a tracheostomy to breathe, a ventilator for additional respiratory support, a feeding tube for all of her nutrition, and a wheelchair to explore the world around her. I am thrilled to share that thanks in great part to Medicaid, my baby has been able to survive and thrive. I have often said: there’s not a single thing I would change about my daughter, but there are a million things I would change about this world so that it would be worthy of her. And the first thing I would change is to protect Medicaid for her and kids with complex medical needs everywhere.”

Philippa Hughes, Breast Cancer Survivor, on how affordable health insurance saved her life:

“In 2013, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The entire treatment would have cost me $150,000. Instead, I paid $3,000. Because I had health insurance… Having health insurance meant regular checkups and access to specialists and testing. Those things meant early detection of my cancer, which is why I am here to talk to you today… I just got this email from the DC health insurance marketplace saying the tax credits are ending. I’m going to be paying nearly double what I pay now! I will be spending more than 20% of my income on health insurance. How am I supposed to pay for this?”

Corrine Hendrickson, Small Business Owner & Main Street Alliance Member, on the importance of Medicaid to her child care business:

“I was a family child care provider for over 18 years. I had several children with disabilities enrolled over those years. I found it very important that these children were able to be in their community and with their friends. I also know that because when they were in a place with children around their age, they did better and met their goals better. Without Medicaid, I would not have been able to keep at least one of those children.”

Mindelyn Anderson, Small Business Owner, on how the expiration of ACA tax credits would harm her ability to provide benefits for her employees:

“The reality is that now we’re facing a decision as we head into the year. We’ve always valued providing health insurance and other benefits to our full-time team members, and we’re now in a place where we may not be able to do that moving forward. It's heartbreaking. These are households, mothers, and children. Nearly 50% of all marketplace enrollees are made up of self-employed entrepreneurs, not unlike myself… If Congress allows this benefit [ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits] to expire, it will be nothing short of a disaster for small businesses like mine.” 

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