Congressman Garamendi Slams Donald Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill” for Dangerous Cuts to Healthcare

Fairfield, CA — Today, U.S. Representative John Garamendi held a press conference at the Contra Costa Regional Medical Center with Contra Costa County Supervisors Shanelle Preston Scales and John Gioia to slam President Trump’s “Big Ugly Bill,” which makes harmful cuts to healthcare.

“Almost one month since Donald Trump and Republicans passed their ‘Big Ugly Bill,’ we are already seeing the damage it will cause,” said Congressman Garamendi. “I said this was the worst bill I’ve seen in my years of public service and I meant it. In the coming years, nearly 333,455 people in Contra Costa County who rely on Medi-Cal are at risk of losing their healthcare. Hospitals will close, prescriptions will cost more, and care that was once accessible will vanish.

“Remember these names next November: Dave Valadao, Kevin Kiley, Tom McClintock, Ken Calvert, Doug LaMalfa, and Young Kim. These six California Republicans voted for a bill that strips healthcare from over a million of their own constituents. They chose billionaires over their neighbors. Let’s hold them accountable at the ballot box and overturn this dangerous bill in Congress.”

“Our community depends on the strength of this medical center, and today’s tour with Congressman Garamendi makes clear just how critical it is to invest in local healthcare,” said County Supervisor Shanelle Scales-Preston. “The doctors, nurses, and staff here are on the front lines every day—saving lives, expanding access, and preparing us for the challenges ahead. Contra Costa families deserve nothing less, and I am proud to stand with Congressman Garamendi in making sure this hospital has the resources it needs to serve every resident with dignity and care.”

The “Big Ugly Bill” will negatively impact our county’s ability to provide medical care to our most vulnerable residents,” said County Supervisor John Gioia. “The Bill’s cuts will delay residents’ ability to get needed healthcare, increase emergency room visits, cause more negative health outcomes, and increase costs to our healthcare system.”

This press conference was the first stop of the day for Congressman John Garamendi. In the afternoon, he joined the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano, where he, Food Bank President Caitlin Sly, and volunteers called out the damaging impact of Trump’s cuts to food security.

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