Walnut Creek residents can put healthcare questions directly to their congressman at a free virtual town hall on Monday, July 20.

U.S. Rep. Mark DeSaulnier will host the online session from 4:30 to 6 p.m., streamed live on Zoom and YouTube. Two panelists join him: Contra Costa Health Director Dr. Grant Colfax and Vaishu Jawahar, director of policy programs at Protect Our Care, a national healthcare advocacy organization.

The discussion will cover healthcare access, insurance coverage, prescription drug costs, and recent federal policy changes affecting patients and providers. Residents can submit questions live during the event.

DeSaulnier, who represents California's 10th Congressional District including Walnut Creek, Concord, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga, and Richmond, said on his verified congressional account July 16 that healthcare costs are Americans' top financial worry. He said families are struggling while "middlemen, Big Pharma, and health insurance companies rake in record profits."

The congressman framed the town hall as a response to the recently enacted federal budget legislation. In a July 14 post, DeSaulnier said the bill's Medicaid cuts could put millions of Americans at risk of losing coverage.

Who's on the panel

Dr. Colfax became Contra Costa Health director in August 2025 after nearly six years leading San Francisco's Department of Public Health through the COVID-19 pandemic. He previously served as director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy during the Obama administration. Contra Costa Health serves more than 1.2 million county residents.

Jawahar leads policy programs at Protect Our Care, which advocates nationally on healthcare issues.

How to participate

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is available at desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp.

Residents can also reach DeSaulnier's Walnut Creek district office at 3100 Oak Road, Suite 110, or by phone at (925) 933-2660.

Upcoming community events