Healthcare

Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) held a press conference to demand that Republicans end the government shutdown and protect access to affordable health care for millions of Americans. Joined by Ventura County Supervisor Vianey Lopez, Gold Coast Health Plan CEO Dr. Felix Nuñez, and community advocates, Brownley underscored how the shutdown and Republican attacks on health care are devastating families across Ventura County and the nation.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley joined her Democratic Women’s Caucus colleagues in a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson demanding he bring Republicans to the negotiating table to end the government shutdown. If Congress doesn’t reach a bipartisan agreement, women and families will continue to bear the costs of the Republican health care crisis.

On Thursday, October 23, I will be hosting a telephone town hall with Protect Our Care to talk to my constituents about what is happening to their health care and what House Democrats are doing to negotiate a responsible end to this government shutdown. This is an opportunity for you to ask questions and share your thoughts on the health care crisis and other issues important to you. If you’re interested in joining, visit my website to sign up. 

Yesterday, the federal government entered a “shutdown” caused by a lapse in appropriated resources. Republicans control the House, Senate, and the White House – the three bodies necessary to fund the government. And still, extremists in Congress chose to shut the government down rather than find common ground and negotiate with Congressional Democrats. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley and Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan announced the reintroduction of a bipartisan resolution recognizing September 25 as Military Sexual Trauma Awareness Day, underscoring the urgent need to confront the issue of military sexual trauma (MST), which affects both women and men within the Armed Forces. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley introduced Katie Meyer’s Law, legislation to ensure students at higher education institutions have the right to select an independent adviser to help them navigate disciplinary proceedings and create new reporting requirements for campus suicide incidents. The bill was inspired by the life of Katie Meyer, whose tragic passing underscored the urgent need for greater protections and support for students.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley and fellow Democratic colleagues have urged the Trump administration to rescind its proposed rule to reinstate a near-total ban on abortion care and abortion counseling at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). As a longtime champion for women veterans’ healthcare, Brownley participated in multiple efforts to underscore the dangers of the rule.

Over 140,000 residents across Ventura County and the Conejo Valley receive Social Security benefits, according to the Social Security Administration, and they deserve to have their benefits strengthened and protected – not subject to risky bets of Wall Street. I am working with my Democratic colleagues to not only protect your benefits from these cuts, but also to enhance benefits to keep them up with rising costs.

In direct response to the Trump administration’s proposed rule to roll back abortion access for veterans, Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the introduction of the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, which would guarantee that veterans and eligible dependents have the right to receive abortion care, medication, and counseling through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), without interference from political appointees or partisan agendas and protected by law.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley joined Congresswoman Luz Rivas, Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove, California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (CA), and 33 of her Democratic colleagues in urging U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to reconsider the termination of the legal status of S.G.V. (identified by her initials for privacy reasons). S.G.V. is a four-year-old girl from Bakersfield living with short bowel syndrome who is facing deportation and could die if she loses medical care at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley signed a discharge petition to force an up-or-down vote in the House to protect Medicaid and food assistance from devastating budget cuts proposed by House Republicans.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley joined local healthcare leaders at the Clinicas del Camino Real, Inc.’s Karen R. Burham Health Center in Oxnard to denounce the Republican proposal for the largest Medicaid cuts in history – jeopardizing care for millions, including over 200,000 Ventura County residents.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley, Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health, hosted a roundtable to hear from local veterans about the impacts they’re experiencing related to workforce cuts in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley was proud to join Planned Parenthood California Central Coast at its annual Power of Love Brunch to celebrate the organization’s work in Ventura County. Below are Congresswoman Brownley’s remarks as prepared.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of the CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act, legislation to ensure children of disabled veterans can remain eligible for VA health care until age 26, the same coverage already provided under the Affordable Care Act for private-sector insurance plans and the military’s TRICARE program.

Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley reintroduced the Fix FEDVIP Age Act, legislation aimed at addressing an existing gap in federal benefits by allowing children of federal workers and retirees to remain eligible for health care coverage under the Federal Employee Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) until the age of 26. 

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of three bills aimed at strengthening the workforce that serves our nation’s veterans, improving the delivery of health care, and addressing service-related needs. The bills include the VA Marriage and Family Therapists Equity Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs Continuing Professional Education Modernization Act, and the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act.

Congresswoman Julia Brownley announced the reintroduction of three bills to expand and improve health care for our nation’s women veterans. The bills include the Veterans Infertility Treatment Act, the Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act, and the Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act.