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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

San Diego, CA – Today, Rep. Peters and local healthcare professionals gathered at Scripps Mercy Hospital to discuss how healthcare providers and San Diegans are hurt by two recent events: drastic cuts to Medicaid made in the Republicans’ Big Beautiful Bill and the January 1 expiration of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. 

“If decimating Medicaid last year wasn’t enough of a hit, the expiration of ACA tax credits will now force tens of thousands of San Diegans to delay care or go without health insurance altogether,” said Rep. Peters. “Open enrollment for Covered California – our state’s health insurance marketplace created by the ACA – ends on January 31. Right now, San Diegans are shopping for health insurance, and many are worried about how to afford it.” 

Rep. Peters brought together hospital and community health center staff who spoke about what our communities are experiencing and bracing for in the midst of this healthcare affordability crisis.   

“The Affordable Care Act has made heath care insurance available to millions who might otherwise go without health insurance risking themselves, society, and our healthcare system,” said Chris Van Gorder, President and CEO of Scripps Health. “We encourage our federal legislators to extend the current subsidies until such time as a reasonable and effective replacement can be developed.”

“When coverage lapses, people do not stop needing healthcare. We anticipate that San Diegans who can no longer afford their plans will rely on sliding-scale fee options at community health centers, or delay treatment until preventable conditions become emergencies requiring hospital-level care,” said Pauline Lucatero MSN, RN, Vice President of Community Affairs at Family Health Centers of San Diego. “This places additional pressure on the healthcare safety net at a time when more Medi-Cal patients are expected to lose coverage due to federal changes under H.R.1. With the January 31 deadline to enroll in Covered California approaching, our certified enrollment staff are available to provide free, confidential assistance to help patients understand their coverage options.”

“The expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits is a devastating setback for the families we serve,” said Dr. Jorge Otañez, Associate Chief Medical Officer at TrueCare. “At TrueCare, we care for working families who maintain health coverage only with the assistance of these credits, allowing them to see a doctor, manage chronic conditions, and seek preventive care for themselves and their children without fear of financial ruin. Without congressional action, many of our patients will be forced to choose between paying rent or paying for health insurance, and too many will become uninsured altogether. This is a real and immediate threat to people’s health and stability.”

On January 8, Rep. Peters voted to extend ACA tax credits for three years to make health care coverage more affordable. The measure passed in the House and Rep. Peters continues to urge his Senate colleagues to support this extension as well. Nearly 150,000 San Diegans rely on the ACA tax credits to afford coverage, and more than 125,000 are already seeing their health care costs surge, including 28,000 people in CA-50 alone.  

A livestreamed recording of the event can be viewed here. 

Additional photos from the event, courtesy of the office of Rep. Scott Peters, can be viewed here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

MINNEAPOLIS–The Office of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) issued the following statement following the incident at her town hall in North Minneapolis.

“During her town hall, an agitator tried to attack the Congresswoman by spraying an unknown substance with a syringe. Security and the Minneapolis Police Department quickly apprehended the individual. He is now in custody. The Congresswoman is okay. She continued with her town hall because she doesn’t let bullies win.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

House Democrats led an effort to restore the Affordable Care Act tax credits and lower health care costs, but Senate Republicans have refused to vote on the bipartisan bill

Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) held a press conference at the Unicare Community Health Center in San Bernardino to highlight the impact of the Republican health care crisis on the Inland Empire and to call on Donald Trump and Senate Republicans to immediately restore the expired Affordable Care Act tax credits. 
Almost two million Californians have seen their monthly health insurance premiums skyrocket after Donald Trump and Republicans failed to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits by December 31, 2025. In California’s 33rd Congressional District, the number of new enrollees in Covered California, California’s Affordable Care Act marketplace, has decreased by 35 percent compared to last year due in part to rising costs. That’s why House Democrats are leading the effort to restore the Affordable Care Act tax credits and lower health care premiums for 21,000 residents of California’s 33rd Congressional District and more than 1.7 million Californians statewide. You can watch the full video of the press conference here.
“Right now, tens of thousands of people in my district have seen their monthly insurance premiums go up and their health care become too expensive because Donald Trump and Republicans let the Affordable Care Act tax credits expire,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I’ve heard from countless people in our community who are suffering right now because of skyrocketing costs and are having to decide between paying for rent, groceries and utilities, or their health care. House Democrats delivered a real path forward to restore these vital tax credits and lower health insurance costs for hardworking people, but Senate Republicans have refused to vote on this bipartisan legislation. The American people can’t afford any more delays. It’s time for Trump and Republicans to work with Democrats to restore the Affordable Care Act tax credits and ensure that working families can get the affordable, quality health care that they need.”
“The Affordable Care Act has been instrumental in helping our patients access consistent, affordable and high-quality health care,” said Kelly Vo, Executive Vice President, Unicare Community Health Center. “However, the recent cuts to the ACA threaten the practice of our community that we have made by putting affordable coverage out of reach for many individuals and families. That is why continued support and advocacy for the ACA are so important.”
“As a physician, I’m seeing families lose their health insurance, not because they don’t work hard, but because they fall into an impossible gap,” said Dr. Cameo Carter, MD, Inland Empire Resident and Covered California Enrollee. “They make too much to qualify for assistance, but far too little to afford the soaring premiums of traditional insurance plans. The ACA premium credits allowed many of these families to stay insured. Without them, they are left with no choice but to go without coverage, living with constant anxiety about what will happen if someone in their family gets seriously ill or needs medication or diagnostic testing they simply can’t afford. I have patients who are delaying or forgoing necessary medical treatments because the cost is prohibitive. These have become daily conversations in my exam rooms, deciding which medication can wait, which test might be postponed. My call to action is simple and urgent: we need Congress to extend the ACA premium credits and protect affordable access to health care, for working families, for small businesses, and for the communities that depend on them.”
“I’m a part-time professor at San Bernardino Valley College,” said Maria Ortiz, Inland Empire Resident and Covered California Enrollee. “As a professor, I need to be healthy for my students. For this reason, I call upon Congress to respond to the needs of your constituents by acting on a solution so that hundreds of teachers can be healthy for their own families and students.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced his support for impeachment articles against U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. 

“Secretary Noem’s continued refusal to take responsibility for the rogue and indiscriminate actions of an agency under her supervision requires accountability,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Her cruel and incompetent leadership, which this Administration continues to condone, has resulted in the murder of two American citizens, illegal operations in South Texas and across the country, and the misuse of taxpayer dollars. For this reason, I have called on Secretary Noem to resign. If she fails to do so of her own accord, then Congress must act.”

The U.S. Constitution grants Congress sole authority on impeachment. Joining more than 100 of his House colleagues, Congressman Gonzalez is now a cosponsor of three articles of impeachment that were formally introduced by Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02):

1. Obstruction of Congress

   Secretary Noem violated her constitutional oath and refused to comply with the law that prohibits the Department of Homeland Security from preventing a Member of Congress from entering a DHS facility used to detain undocumented immigrants.

2. Violation of Public Trust

   Secretary Noem has repeatedly violated the Immigration and Nationality Act, the First and Fourth Amendments of the United States Constitution. She’s also broken due process by directing ICE to conduct warrantless arrests and use violence against U.S. citizens and lawful individuals.

   During Secretary Noem’s “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago, federal agents used excessive force, in some cases injuring or killing residents. Federal agents used military-style tactics to raid an apartment building in South Shore, detaining U.S. citizens for hours without warrants or reason for arrest. These dangerous actions have continued in cities across the country, including in Minneapolis, where Renee Nicole Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti were shot and killed without justification.
    

3. Self-Dealing

   Secretary Noem has misused her position for personal gain while inappropriately using $200 million taxpayer dollars to fund an ad campaign for ICE recruitment. She bypassed the normal competitive bidding process to award a contract to a firm called Strategy Group. Strategy Group was formed just days before the award and is run by the husband of senior DHS official Tricia McClaughlin, a close friend of Secretary Noem.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Adam Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement after signing onto an effort to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“Today, I joined my colleagues in supporting H.Res. 996, a resolution to impeach Secretary Kristi Noem for high crimes and misdemeanors. I do not take the decision to pursue impeachment lightly. It is one of the most solemn responsibilities of the House of Representatives.

“Congress must ensure accountability at the highest levels of our government. When a cabinet official willfully disregards statutes passed by Congress and obstructs lawful oversight, it diminishes trust in our institutions and threatens the constitutional framework that protects American rights and liberties. I believe these matters warrant careful consideration by the House Judiciary Committee and ultimately by the full House.

“My support for this resolution is rooted in a broader concern about the Department of Homeland Security and the direction of federal immigration enforcement under this administration. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations are, right now, sowing fear and chaos in American communities.

“Last week, I voted against funding for DHS and ICE, and now as ICE continues to escalate its lawless operations, I am taking the extraordinary step of supporting impeachment of the Secretary Noem. As the head of this Department, Secretary Noem must be the held responsible for the lawlessness, terror, and havoc that ICE has caused across this country, and especially in places like Minneapolis.

“We have seen ICE embrace enforcement tactics that are violent, that tear families apart, and that are untethered from basic standards of accountability, due process, and public safety. The killings of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis this month have deepened concerns about federal tactics and the impact on local public safety and community trust.

“Accountability and reform must come now. Secretary Noem must be held accountable for the lawless behavior that ICE has committed under her stewardship. I join my colleagues in demanding that Secretary Noem must be impeached and her oversight of ICE must be investigated thoroughly before Congress.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02), Rep. Jim Costa (CA-21), Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03), Rep. Donald Davis (NC-01), Rep. Max Miller (OH-07), and Rep. Blake Moore (UT-01) introduced the bipartisan Ticket to Work Awareness Act to increase awareness of an existing program that helps Americans with disabilities access job training, employment services, and support without risking their benefits.

Rep. Hill said, “Nearly two-thirds of eligible beneficiaries have no idea the Ticket to Work program exists. That is unacceptable. This commonsense bill improves outreach so people who want to work know what options are available to them, without adding new spending or growing government. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan effort to correct the Social Security Administration’s failure to adequately communicate and promote this important program and support greater opportunities and independence for people with disabilities.”

“I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan legislation to ensure people receiving Social Security disability benefits are aware of the Ticket to Work program,” said Rep. Costa. “Far too many individuals with disabilities across the San Joaquin Valley and the nation are unaware of the employment services readily available to them. This bill will strengthen outreach from the Social Security Administration and will allow beneficiaries to explore work opportunities without risking their benefits.”  

Rep. Sharice Davids said, “Far too often, people who want to work and gain more independence don’t have clear information about the support available to them. This bipartisan bill makes sure Social Scurity actually reaches out to beneficiaries and clearly explains their options, so Kansans with disabilities can explore work and career opportunities without fear of losing the benefits they depend on. By improving awareness, we can help more families build financial stability and dignity through work — without adding cost or bureaucracy. I am glad to work with my Republican colleague, Representative French Hill, on this effort.” 

The Ticket to Work program opens doors for eastern North Carolinians and others across the nation by offering training that leads to meaningful new careers and economic stability for their families,” said Congressman Don Davis. “True potential is unlocked when eligible participants know how to access these impactful training opportunities.”

“Too many Americans with disabilities who want to work and achieve financial independence simply don’t know the Ticket to Work program exists,” said Congressman Max Miller. “This legislation takes a simple, common-sense step to change that by requiring regular outreach, so eligible beneficiaries are aware of the opportunities and support available to them. Ticket to Work empowers Americans to pursue meaningful employment without risking their benefits, and increasing awareness will help more people gain independence, dignity, and a stronger future. I’m proud to cosponsor this bill to make sure no one is left in the dark about a program designed to help them succeed.” 

Rep. Moore said, “The Ticket to Work program exists to give disability beneficiaries access to free vocational rehabilitation, employment, and other work-related support services while maintaining their benefits. Unfortunately, many of the people who could benefit the most from this program don’t know that it exists. I’m excited to work with my friend Chairman French Hill to introduce the Ticket to Work Advertisement Act to require regular advertising for the program, bringing awareness to the opportunities and support available to SSDI beneficiaries.”

Background:

The Ticket to Work (TTW) program was created with bipartisan support as part of an effort to promote work amongst those who receive Social Security disability benefits, such as Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI).

The Ticket to Work Advertisement Act requires the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration (SSA) to advertise the TTW program to beneficiaries at least every six months. SSA has 12 months for implementation.

Increasing awareness of the TTW program is a straightforward, cost-effective step toward improving the TTW program’s impact. Ensuring consistent SSA outreach will help beneficiaries understand and access the opportunities they have and deserve.

What is the Ticket to Work Program?

• The TTW program allows beneficiaries ages 18-64 to obtain free employment services, vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, and other support services from approved providers to achieve specific work-related and career goals.
• Participation is completely free and voluntary.
• The purpose of the TTW program is to help individuals with disabilities experience working while connecting them to support and services they need to succeed in the workplace.
• The goal of the TTW program is to help SSDI and SSI beneficiaries who can and want to achieve financial independence.
• During the TTW program, participants do NOT lose their disability benefits.