Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced that health care clinician, Cara DelVecchio, will be her guest at this year’s State of the Union Address, which will take place on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 9:00 PM Eastern/6:00 PM Pacific. DelVecchio serves as the Lead Clinician for Planned Parenthood California Central Coast’s health center in Thousand Oaks, where she provides direct patient care. 

“At a time when access to contraception and abortion care continues to be targeted and women’s rights continue to be eroded by the draconian ideology of extremist courts and state legislatures, we must work every day to ensure that reproductive health care is available to all Americans throughout the country,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “That is why I am so pleased to welcome Cara to Washington and to recognize her – and the doctors, clinicians, nurses, and all medical professionals providing reproductive health care services – for the invaluable work she does each and every day.

“Extremist Republicans went after abortion care, and they continue to attack women’s fundamental rights to reproductive health care including access to abortion care, contraception coverage, and IVF. These extremists will stop at nothing to control women’s bodies and their access to reproductive health care – but Democrats are fighting back.  

“Democrats are committed to protecting access to comprehensive reproductive health care, and as a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus, I am working to ensure that all women across the country are able to make their own decisions about their health, their lives, and their future. 

“I look forward to hearing President Biden’s address to the nation that highlights all the important work that his administration has done to protect reproductive health care and reproductive freedom for all Americans.” 

“I am very excited to have this opportunity to join Congresswoman Brownley at the State of the Union. This is a unique opportunity, and I am honored to represent Planned Parenthood California Central Coast and our patients. This is a very important year, and I am looking forward to discussing how health care policy has shaped the care we provide across the Central Coast and this country as a whole,” said Cara DelVecchio, Lead Clinician, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast.  

“Cara’s presence at the State of the Union is a testament to the power of reproductive health providers in a moment when reproductive freedom is under unprecedented attack. Providers like Cara are powerful advocates for equitable access to healthcare, comprehensive sex education, and the right to make choices about one’s own body and future. We thank Congresswoman Brownley for lifting up reproductive health care as a national priority,” said Jenna Tosh, Ph.D., President and CEO, Planned Parenthood California Central Coast.  

Congresswoman Brownley is pleased to welcome Cara DelVecchio as her guest as an important way to recognize and uplift the stories of reproductive health care providers and the patients they serve throughout California’s 26th Congressional District.

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