Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35) highlighted the critical challenges facing healthcare workers in California’s 35th Congressional District by bringing Linda Hippolyte, a registered nurse and labor leader with United Nurses Associations of California/Union of Health Care Professionals (UNAC/UHCP), as her guest to the State of the Union Address. More than 31,000 UNAC/UHCP members are currently on strike for better working conditions and wages at Kaiser Permanente facilities in California and Hawaii.
Linda’s presence represents the voices of thousands of nurses and healthcare workers in CA-35, from Pomona to Ontario to Fontana, who provide essential care while facing increasing pressures from staffing shortages, funding cuts, and reductions to Medicare and Medicaid. Her role at the State of the Union highlights how these challenges not only impact patient care but also the local economy and the stability of hospitals in the Inland Empire.
“By bringing Linda to the State of the Union, we are putting a national spotlight on the healthcare workers who keep our communities healthy and our hospitals running,” said Rep. Torres. “She represents every nurse and frontline worker in CA-35 navigating understaffed hospitals, healthcare cuts, and rising costs. This moment is a reminder that health care cannot exist without hardworking healthcare workers like Linda, and dedicated workers who show up every day for our families.”
As a union leader, Hippolyte embodies the power of collective action in protecting patients, supporting working families, and keeping conditions at hospitals safe and sustainable. Her presence underscores the critical role unions play in ensuring safe staffing, fair contracts, and essential protections for healthcare workers.
“Our hospitals and communities are under enormous strain,” said Hippolyte. “Cuts to staffing, underfunded public programs, and reductions to Medicare and Medi-Cal are forcing nurses to work beyond safe limits and putting patient care at risk. We are seeing firsthand how these pressures impact families, seniors, and children who depend on timely, quality care. Standing together through our union is how we protect patient safety, support our healthcare workers, and safeguard the local economy. I was proud to bring the voices of Inland Empire nurses to the nation at the State of the Union.
Rep. Torres’ decision to bring Linda as her guest demonstrates her commitment to protecting the healthcare workforce, strengthening local hospitals, and ensuring the economic well-being of CA-35. This moment highlights the intersection of labor, healthcare, and the economy, showing that supporting frontline workers is essential to the health of both people and communities.
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