Press Releases
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) was appointed to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, which conducts oversight of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and advances legislation on matters pertaining to veterans, including medical care, veterans' hospitals, treatment compensation, education, and more. An emergency physician and public health expert, Dr. Ruiz will also continue serving on the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) is urging retail pharmacies to join the fight for health equity in COVID-19 vaccination. In a letter to the CVS Health CEO Larry Merlo, Dr. Ruiz called on the retail pharmacy to prioritize high-risk, underserved communities in its vaccine administration plans. Citing disproportionately low inoculation rates in underserved communities and among people of color, Dr. Ruiz also urged the company to disseminate important vaccine information and help patients overcome vaccine hesitancy.
Washington, DC – Today, Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) announced the introduction of legislation to take more than 2,500 acres of land in the San Jacinto Mountains into trust for the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. This legislation would allow the tribe to further their conservation efforts and practice consistent forest management.
Palm Desert, CA – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) has been sounding the alarm on the need for a vaccine distribution plan that prioritizes and implements health equity for months – long before a vaccine was even approved for use in the United States. Today, during the Energy and Commerce Committee's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee entitled, "No Time to Lose: Solutions to Increase COVID-19 Vaccinations in the States," Rep. Ruiz laid out continued challenges facing communities like the East Valley in getting vaccines.
Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressmen Raul Ruiz (CA-36) and Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to improve access to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center in Riverside County. This bill would provide the Indian Health Service with authority to acquire land and build an access road to the Desert Sage Youth Wellness Center outside of Hemet, California. The facility is the only Indian Health Service Youth Regional Treatment Center in California and is currently accessed by a dilapidated dirt road that washes out in heavy rains.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) introduced bipartisan legislation with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) to increase the financial assistance provided to the families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. In addition to substantially increasing the death and disability benefit for families of fallen officers, H.R.
Palm Desert, CA – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), and Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) responded to the Trump Administration's decision to amend the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan, opening up pristine areas of the California desert for energy production.
Palm Desert, CA –Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (CA-47), and Rep.
Washington, D.C. – This week, Congress passed H.R. 133, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, which included several measures championed by Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. From additional funding for projects at the Salton Sea, to closing the coverage gap for seniors enrolling in Medicare Part B; from ending surprise billing to making major investments in cybersecurity education, Rep. Ruiz secured key victories for constituents in California's 36th Congressional District in this year's government funding bill.
Washington, D.C. – On Monday, the House of Representatives passed a bipartisan COVID relief package. The legislation includes Dr. Ruiz's priorities to provide funds for research related to COVID-19's long-term health effects as well as funds for health programs in underserved Tribal communities. The package also includes $600 stimulus checks to individuals, $300 per week in extended unemployment insurance, money for schools to reopen safely and expand remote learning, and more.