PHOTO RELEASE: Rep. McBride in Delaware Highlighting Health Care Access, Recover, Reentry, and Community

Wilmington, DE - This weekend and Monday, Congresswoman Sarah McBride traveled across New Castle County to meet with health care providers, recovery advocates, reentry leaders, and community organizations - underscoring her commitment to expanding access to care, strengthening pathways to stability, and ensuring every Delawarean is treated with dignity. Photos are available for download and use here.

"Good policy starts with listening," said Rep. McBride. "This weekend, I heard from health care providers working to expand access, recovery leaders building community for people navigating addiction, and advocates helping returning citizens find stability and purpose. Their work is rooted in dignity - and my job in Congress is to make sure the federal government is a partner in that work."

Strengthening Community Health Care Access

On Monday, Rep. McBride toured Westside Family Healthcare in Wilmington, a federally qualified health center serving medically underserved communities across Delaware. She met with leadership to discuss protecting the Community Health Center Fund, safeguarding Medicaid funding, and expanding behavioral health integration.

Westside provides primary care, dental services, and behavioral health care services regardless of a patient's ability to pay. Rep. McBride reiterated her commitment to protecting Medicaid and increasing federal support for community health centers so families can access care close to home.

"Health care is about more than coverage - it's about whether you can actually see a provider in your community," McBride said. "Community health centers like Westside are often the front door to care for working families."

Supporting Recovery and Behavioral Health

Rep. McBride also visited Impact Life's Wilmington Recovery Café, a peer-led recovery community that provides a safe, supportive space for individuals navigating substance use and mental health challenges.

She discussed protecting funding for grants that support intervention programs, expanding support for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, and safeguarding Medicaid coverage for behavioral health services.

"Recovery is not a straight line - it's a journey built on connection and community," McBride said. "Delaware has leaders who understand that. In Congress, I'll continue working to ensure federal policy reflects what works on the ground."

Expanding Opportunity for Returning Citizens

At Project New Start, Rep. McBride met with reentry leaders focused on workforce development and reducing recidivism. The organization provides structured reentry programming, job readiness training, and mentorship for individuals transitioning from incarceration.

McBride discussed her support for Second Chance Act funding and policies that reduce barriers to employment, housing, and health care for returning citizens.

"When someone has paid their debt, they deserve a real chance to rebuild," McBride said. "Public safety and second chances go hand in hand. Stable housing, job training, and continuity of care make our communities stronger."

Advancing Oral Health Equity

Rep. McBride also met with The Hygiene Hive, an oral health advocacy organization focused on workforce shortages and expanding access to preventive dental care.

The discussion centered on strengthening Medicaid adult dental benefits, addressing workforce shortages, and integrating oral health into broader health policy.

"Oral health is health," McBride said. "Prevention-focused care saves money, reduces emergency visits, and improves quality of life. We should treat it as a core part of our health system - not an afterthought."

In the Delaware State Senate, Rep. McBride passed landmark bipartisan legislation designed to boost access to dental services at public health clinics by reducing red tape for licensing requirements. Signed into law in 2022, it has already yielded better access for patients across the state.

Celebrating Cultural Community and Religious Freedom

Over the weekend, Rep. McBride also participated in community gatherings celebrating Delaware's cultural and faith diversity, including the University of Delaware's Chinese New Year Celebration and an Interfaith Iftar hosted by the Delaware Sikh Coalition.

At both events, McBride emphasized Delaware's tradition of inclusion and interfaith cooperation.

"Our diversity is one of Delaware's greatest strengths," she said. "Whether celebrating the Lunar New Year or breaking fast during Ramadan, these moments remind us that belonging and mutual respect are foundational to who we are as a state."

Rep. McBride's visits reflect her ongoing focus on protecting Medicaid, strengthening the care economy, expanding workforce opportunity, and ensuring federal policy delivers tangible results for Delaware families.

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