From California to Maine, Democrats in state legislatures stand in stark contrast to GOP extremism & are prioritizing real solutions to lower health care costs
WASHINGTON — Cutting health care protections for people with pre-existing conditions. Criminalizing abortion nationwide. Anti-vaccine policies. Removing fluoride from water systems. These are just some of the scary and downright dangerous proposals pushed by Project 2025 and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Health and Human Services.
As RFK Jr. faces the U.S. Senate for nomination hearings, Trump and Republicans are gearing up for “major healthcare spending cuts” to fund tax giveaways to his billionaire supporters. The states are on the frontlines to provide a firewall against these toxic policies. While legislative sessions have only been underway for a handful of weeks, state Democrats have already sprung into action to address health care affordability and accessibility – in direct contrast to the extremism we’re seeing at the federal level.
Here’s a sample of state Democrats working to improve health care:
- Connecticut Democrats introduced a bill that would protect residents from federal cuts in health funding, combat health misinformation, and ensure fluoridation of the state’s drinking water.
- California Democrats introduced a bill that would lower health care costs such as co-pays, deductibles, or cost-sharing on most health insurance plans in the state for patients 21 and younger.
- Virginia Democrats passed a constitutional amendment to establish a right to contraception and are now pushing to require health insurers to cover fertility treatments and contraceptives.
- In Maine, Democrats are working on a proposal to address the state’s health care work shortage by increasing pay for health care workers.
- A bill introduced by Democrats in Wisconsin would lower health care costs.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Heather Williams issued the following statement:
“Project 2025 and the Trump administration are espousing ideas that are downright dangerous and will only cause health care costs to skyrocket. Luckily, Democrats in state legislatures are bringing sorely needed leadership to make health care more accessible and affordable. The states are where progress can continue to be made despite GOP dysfunction and MAGA extremism in Washington. Democratic-led state legislatures are the driving force behind real improvements to Americans’ lives and livelihoods.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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