DWC Leaders & House Democrats Call for the Protection of Health Care & Human Services at Regional Service Center in Germantown, MD

DWC Leaders & House Democrats Call for the Protection of Health Care & Human Services at Regional Service Center in Germantown, MD

***Watch the press conference here***

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Wednesday, October 1 2025, DWC member April McClain Delaney (MD-06) led leaders from the Democratic Women's Caucus (DWC) and House Democrats, including DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), DWC Whip Emily Randall (WA-06), DWC member Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39), and Rep. Steven Horsford (NV-04), in a visit to the Sidney Kraemer UpCounty Regional Services Center in Germantown, MD. During their visit, Members met with community leaders who provide essential health and human services, like income support, workforce development, childcare, nutrition assistance, and public health services to community members. They also toured the facility-unique in its role as a one-stop shop for health and human services for the community. Dozens of local elected officials and community leaders, including Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Kate Stewart, also joined the tour.

The UpCounty Regional Services Center primarily services low-income residents, many of whom are insured through Medicaid. Trump and Republicans' cuts to Medicaid will hurt the center's ability to provide services like far too many health centers and hospitals across every corner of the country.After months of Trump and Republicans' attacks on health care, this week, Republicans made it clear that they would rather shut down the government than work with Democrats to protect health care. Democrats are ready, willing, and able to fund the government while lowering health care costs.

At a press conference following the visit, Members shared their reflections on the visit and asked Republicans to join Democrats in their commitment to solving America's health care crisis:

"The needs of our communities aren't partisan-they're human. This shutdown has incited real uncertainty, and it's our job as lawmakers to stand up and stand together for our constituents," said DWC Member April McClain Delaney (MD-06). "The Upcounty Regional Services Center embodies the stewardship and unwavering perseverance that is alive and well in Maryland's 6th, and I was honored to share their work with my fellow Representatives. On Wednesday, we went into this shutdown unified, and we will continue to defend accessible health care and other vital community resources-together. I'm proud to join House Democrats, the Democratic Women's Caucus, and our county officials in this effort, and I will continue to show up, serve our people, and work to re-open our government."

"We know who is to blame for the government shutdown, but more importantly, who will feel the pain if we don't stick to our guns and stay in the fight to make sure that we restore health care coverage to all the people who have lost it and that we make sure that we lower the cost of healthcare premiums?... We heard today that 75% of the people that come here [the Sidney Kraemer UpCounty Regional Services Center] for services are women. All of these cuts that Republicans are proposing, and all of the cuts that they have already done, have taken advantage of women. So that's why we have come here today, because we know that when people open those envelopes and open those emails, they will know that their health insurance premiums have gone through the roof because Republicans refused to work with Democrats to address the health care crisis," said DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03).

"We came to Congress to work for our neighbors, like the neighbors who are served in this incredible facility," said DWC Whip Emily Randall (WA-06). "I'm going to keep fighting alongside my colleagues for everyday Americans to ensure that we have the support that we deserve -- that we should be able to rely on our federal government to deliver. And I represent 27,000 federal employees, so just like this district I know what's at risk. But I know that the risk to our health care coverage is even greater."

"Democrats are fighting to cancel the cuts that were made to Medicaid. This facility [the Sidney Kraemer UpCounty Regional Services Center] here enrolls people in Medicaid. It gives services to people through Medicaid. During our visit, we saw the dental chairs that provide dental care. We talked to people enrolling those in Medicaid. We talked to people providing food assistance. All here. And those are the kinds of services that are at stake with the cuts to Medicaid…This center is the model of what is at stake and the services that are at stake, said DWC member Nanette Barragán (CA-44)."

"Montgomery County is grateful for Rep. April McClain Delaney's leadership and for the steadfast support of our entire Congressional Delegation on behalf of federal workers, contractors, and the local vendors who keep our economy moving," said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich and Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart."We also thank the Democratic Women's Caucus and the Members of Congress for visiting the Sidney Kramer Upcounty Regional Service Center to see, firsthand, how our team connects people to health and human services, employment supports, and public health programs. Their visit underscores what is at stake for families, seniors, and small businesses as the Trump Administration's cuts ripple through core services and threaten community stability. We are committed to working side by side with our federal partners to protect workers, reduce harm from a shutdown, and keep essential help within reach."

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