Former U.S. Delegate Dr. Donna Christensen returned to Capitol Hill recently for the 2025 National Medical Association (NMA) Colloquium on African American Health, held March 27–29 at the Hilton Capitol Hill Hotel. Despite her hopes for a different political landscape, the Virgin Islands Democrat and former Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust chair attended the event under the administration of President Donald Trump.
“I had the chance to mix with former colleagues,” said Christensen, 79. “I spoke with Maxine Waters—she’s really concerned about the administration’s AIDS policy—and ran into [Caucus Chair] Yvette Clarke, who told me they’re planning to oppose any cuts to health care services.”
Christensen, along with dozens of NMA members, voiced concern over proposed Trump administration cuts to Medicaid and Medicare and the removal of federal health experts.
“The colloquium is so important because we’re bringing together policymakers and physicians—public and private—who are directly affected by these changes,” said Dr. Virginia Caine, NMA president. “We must be strategic. We may be the only ones standing in place to protect and serve our communities.”
Caine, who practices in Indianapolis, emphasized that the firing of key FDA experts under U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. weakens national expertise and regulatory oversight.
“These changes are dangerous,” she said. “People need to get their health care now—Medicaid may not be available much longer.”
The NMA’s panels tackled urgent topics from DEI to environmental health in underserved areas. Dr. Roger Mitchell, president-elect of the NMA and head of Howard University Hospital, stressed advocacy.
“We focused on physician workforce, compensation, and resisting federal Medicaid cuts,” Mitchell said. “The colloquium empowers us to influence health care policy and outcomes for Black and brown communities.”
