Rep. Derrick Van Orden Touts Healthcare Record at GOP Convention in Dallas

U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden touted his healthcare record in a speech at the Republican National Committee’s midterm convention in Dallas, Texas, on Wednesday, pointing to federal funding secured for Wisconsin hospitals. According to Wisconsin Public Radio, Van Orden credited Donald Trump’s administration with helping bring billions in new federal dollars to the state’s healthcare infrastructure, drawing immediate pushback from political opponents. Van Orden, a Republican from Prairie du Chien, and a former combat medic, paramedic, and Navy SEAL, spoke during the opening night of the two-day gathering in Dallas. He told attendees that his background gave him insight into the need for affordable healthcare. “You know who else knows this?” Van Orden asked, according to Wisconsin Public Radio. “Our great president Donald J. Trump. He is fighting to make quality healthcare a reality for everyday Americans, and that’s why President Trump and the Republicans secured $50 billion for a rural healthcare infrastructure transformation program.”

Federal Funding Claims and Local Impact

During his remarks, Van Orden cited the 2025 federal spending legislation backed by Republicans, describing it as the largest investment in rural healthcare in the country’s history. He also stated that he worked directly with Trump and House Republicans to adjust Medicaid assessments, which he said brought billions back to Wisconsin’s BadgerCare program. As an example of the funding’s local impact, Van Orden pointed to Black River Falls Memorial Hospital in Wisconsin. He asserted that the investments allow doctors at the facility to spend less time worrying about financial stability and more time treating patients. However, those claims faced swift pushback from state and national Democrats. Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers and other Democrats disputed Van Orden’s characterization of the Medicaid assessments, noting that the additional federal funding for BadgerCare relied on a state budget passed by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers prior to the federal bill being signed, according to Wisconsin Public Radio reporting.

Democratic Counter-Attacks and Political Stakes

National Democrats targeted Van Orden’s record minutes after he stepped off the stage in Dallas. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee issued a statement accusing the congressman of misrepresenting his legislative record on healthcare.

Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesperson Katie Smith, via Wisconsin Public Radio The political battleground in Wisconsin remains intense. National Democrats have targeted the seat for more than a year, supporting Eau Claire Democrat Rebecca Cooke in her third run for the office. Cooke finished within three percentage points of defeating Van Orden in 2024. The Dallas convention marks the first time the Republican Party has held a midterm convention, functioning as a mix of political rally and high-ticket fundraiser with entry priced at $20,000 or more. Alongside Van Orden, several other Wisconsin Republicans traveled to Texas for the opening sessions, including state GOP Chair Brian Schimming, U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, and Michael Alfonso, a candidate for the state’s 7th Congressional District.