BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Democratic congressional candidate Randy Villegas told voters at a rally in Bakersfield on Thursday that healthcare should be treated as a human right.
He criticized Republican David Valadao over his support last year for federal cuts to Medicaid under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Villegas, who is challenging Valadao for California’s 22nd Congressional District, hosted the town hall at Salon Juarez, a social hall named after Benito Juarez, the first indigenous president of Mexico.
The event featured Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California's 17th District, as well as California Nurses Association President Sandy Reding.
Healthcare remains a central issue in the 2026 midterms, and in this competitive race it has become among the top issues since more than half of the residents are enrolled in Medicaid.
Villegas highlighted the San Joaquin Valley’s already fragile healthcare landscape, including a shortage of specialists and clinics that rely heavily on Medicaid payments.
His campaign has estimated that nearly 70,000 people in the district could lose health coverage and hospitals could lose millions as a result of the healthcare cuts.
“Whether you’re here in Bakersfield or Fresno or anywhere in between, nobody should have to choose between rationing their medicine and paying their mortgage,” Villegas said. “Nobody should have to choose between paying for their groceries or seeing a doctor. Nobody should have to fight cancer and their congressman at the same time.”
Villegas has made healthcare a foundation of his campaign platform. He said he supports providing health coverage regardless of a person’s income.
“We know that everybody gets sick, which is why we need healthcare for all,” Villegas said. “Your mortgage, your bills, your utilities don’t ask you for your party ID, and neither will this campaign because we are focused on fighting for every working family across the valley and beyond.”
Voters question Villegas on other topics
Voters also had questions for Villegas on other topics shaping current debates in the Valley.
Among them is the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare, mental health, and issues facing young voters. One voter asked Villegas about data centers.
In recent weeks, voters across the Valley have protested the potential boom of data centers after reports that one company is exploring what it calls “emergency resilience systems” on fairgrounds. Residents interpret the systems to be data centers, even though the company does not call them that.
But residents have spoken out about the plans nonetheless with concerns about air quality, water supplies, and the cost of utilities.
“Data centers are a huge problem,” Carlos Angel, a voter who attended Villegas’ event, said. “The utility prices are going up, and affordability is up at the top of everyone’s concern.”
Villegas told voters he plans to make regular appearances across the district. That was likely a jab at Valadao, who has not made many public appearances during his campaign so far and has not responded to media interview requests, including from KVPR.
Villegas tried to cast himself as being closer to the voters.
“I am proud to be here with all of you, our farmworkers, our teachers, our nurses, our working families who get up every single day and make the Central Valley the most amazing place in the world,” he said.
