Press Releases
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. is calling attention to the children in California's 36th District and across the country who are forced to ride in school buses without A/C during extreme heat temperatures. Citing accounts of children overheating on school buses and the severe heat in Riverside County which reaches over 100 degrees Fahrenheit for four months out of the year, Dr.
Thermal, CA – Today, Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-36) is calling for an investigation into the recurring mulch pile fires from waste disposal sites in Thermal. The burn piles, which allegedly consist of agricultural waste, tires, and PVC pipes, are emitting white, odorous smoke, and have drawn concerns from the community about the air quality in the area.
Washington, D.C. – Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Palm Desert) and Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) introduced bi-partisan legislation to 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 Services Youth Regional Treatment Center in California and is currently accessed by a dilapidated dirt road that is frequently washed out by heavy rains and often in great disrepair.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) introduced two bills to address health disparities in Native American communities. Far too many tribal members still do not have access to the health care they need to stay healthy, and far too many tribal communities don't have the resources required to support a robust and comprehensive public health infrastructure. These bills work to address that gap and achieve healthier outcomes for native communities.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) released the following statement on the House Judiciary's official impeachment inquiry.
Statement from Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D:
Washington, D.C. – Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Palm Desert) continues to sound the alarm that federal agencies must be held accountable for and fully engage on the imminent public health crisis at the Salton Sea. Dr. Ruiz and Rep. Juan Vargas (D-Imperial) sent a letter to the Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources requesting a Congressional hearing on the federal responsibility for managing and mitigating the declining water levels and dust exposure at the Salton Sea.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA) author of the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in CBP Custody Act and Congressional Hispanic Caucus Health Task Force Chairman, wrote a letter with other members of the CHC calling on the Department of Homeland Security Inspector General to launch an investigation into the treatment of migrant teens in Customs and Border Protection.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Palm Desert) announced the introduction of H.R. 4137, the Jennifer Kepner Healthcare for Open-air burn-Pit Exposure (HOPE) Act, legislation that would make veterans exposed to burn pits eligible for low-cost health care from the Veterans Administration. The bill is named after Cathedral City veteran Jennifer Kepner, a wife and mother who died from pancreatic cancer linked to her exposure to toxic burn pits during her military service in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-CA), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Democratic leaders announced the passage of H.R. 3239, the Humanitarian Standards for Individuals in Customs and Border Protection Custody Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation would establish basic standards of care requiring CBP to meet the humanitarian needs of the children, seniors, women and families in its custody.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed four amendments authored by Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D. (D-Palm Desert) that seek to end the use of burn pits, educate doctors about the health effects of burn pit exposure, and increase transparency about active burn pits threatening the health of servicemembers stationed overseas. Dr. Ruiz's amendments were included in H.R. 2500, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020, which passed the House by a vote of 402-12 and is now headed to the Senate for further consideration.