Press Releases
Washington, DC – As Congress considers additional funding to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, members of the House and Senate have introduced legislation seeking to address the disproportionate impact that COVID-19 has on communities experiencing environmental injustices. Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) introduced H.R.6692, the Environmental Justice COVID-19 Act, alongside Rep. Donald McEachin (D-VA).
Washington, DC – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. led a letter signed by 47 bipartisan members of the House calling for Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to include dedicated funding for Indian Health Service, Tribal health programs, and Urban Indian Health Organizations (I/T/U) to recover from significant COVID-19 related losses in revenue in the next stimulus legislation.
Statement from U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, MD:
"Removing precautions too early and without safeguards will only harm individuals and the economy in our community further. We haven't yet hit our coronavirus peak, our Valley hospital COVID-19 occupancy rates are going up again, and we don't have the safeguards like enough rapid testing, contact tracing, isolation systems, business and worker safety measures, or enforcement mechanisms in place to prevent or contain new flare ups.
Washington, DC – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. today released a statement following the House passage of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act – emergency relief funding that will provide funding for small businesses, hospitals, providers, and increased testing to combat the coronavirus pandemic.
Statement from U.S. Representative Raul Ruiz, MD:
Washington, DC – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D., Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA) and 28 other bipartisan members of California's Congressional Delegation wrote to Treasury Secretary Mnuchin and Department of Interior Secretary Bernhardt on Wednesday urging them to support tribal governments by quickly disbursing funds from the CARES Act.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. applauded passage of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, historic families and workers-first legislation, which will now go to the President's desk for his signature.
Washington D.C. – Today, Dr. Ruiz announced the introduction of the Care for COVID-19 Act, which would require health plans to cover diagnostic and treatment services related to COVID-19, at no cost to the patient. The bill also would create a special enrollment period for individuals who are impacted by COVID-19 to ensure that patients who are eligible for marketplace health plans would be able to enroll. The bill was introduced alongside Rep. Malinowski (NJ-07).
Palm Desert, CA – Today, Rep. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Palm Desert) continued his COVID-19 public health education with a district-wide telephone town hall. Along with a panel of local public health experts, Dr. Ruiz answered the community's questions on the coronavirus and our nation's response. This comes after Dr. Ruiz released a series of social media PSAs in both English and Spanish to educate the public about commonly asked COVID-19 questions.
Washington, D.C. – As the coronavirus continues to spread across the United States and around the world, Reps. Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36), Underwood (IL-14), and Roe (TN-01) have introduced a bipartisan bill in the House to analyze the dependence of the United States on critical drugs and medical devices that are sourced or manufactured outside of the United States.
Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) presided over the House floor before voting for an $8.3 billion emergency supplemental package to address the coronavirus. Just hours before, Dr. Ruiz spoke with Vice President Mike Pence during a briefing with other Members of Congress to discuss our national response to this urgent public health threat.