Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Washington’s 3rd district since 2023, has shared her insights on local agricultural supply chains and healthcare challenges in rural areas through recent social media posts.
On July 9, Rep. Perez expressed her support for strengthening local agricultural supply chains as a means to counter farm consolidation and enhance national health and self-sufficiency. She attended the opening of the Southwest Washington Ag Innovation Park, describing it as “an incredible community-led effort to bring market access and support to local” farmers “Strong local ag supply chains are how we combat farm consolidation, support national health, and increase our self-sufficiency as a nation.”
The following day, July 10, she highlighted concerns about impending cuts to Apple Health and their potential impact on rural hospitals already under strain. Rep. Perez warned that these cuts could affect healthcare access for all rural Americans: “Rural hospitals already face strain, and major cuts to Apple Health will impact care for ALL rural Americans.” She emphasized the broader economic implications by stating that delayed access to healthcare could lead to increased emergency service costs.
Later that day, Rep. Perez reiterated the financial challenges faced by rural hospitals due to proposed budget reductions targeting Apple Health. She pointed out that these cuts were strategically planned post-midterm elections when their effects would become more apparent: “Our rural hospitals are already facing severe financial hardship and are barely breaking even.”
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez was born in Harris County, Texas in 1988 but now resides in Washougal. She holds a BA from Reed College earned in 2012.
