Ruiz on Biden’s Address to Joint Session

Dr. Ruiz Statement on President Biden’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress

WASHINGTON — Representative Raul Ruiz, M.D., CA-36, was selected as one of 200 guests to attend the Presidential Address in person. He released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s Address to a Joint Session of Congress.

“Tonight, President Biden delivered a message of resounding hope and optimism for our nation,” said Dr. Ruiz. “Over the past 100 days, I have been honored to work with his administration to deliver relief for hardworking families, vaccines for high-risk communities, students back in classrooms, and small business support with the American Rescue Plan. I look forward to continuing my work with President Biden and Vice President Harris to build on this success with the American Jobs Plan and the American Families Plan. With the bold vision President Biden conveyed tonight, we will bring our infrastructure into the 21st Century and rebuild our communities and economy better than ever before.”

The Joint Address, which is President Biden’s first speech to a Joint Session of Congress, marks 100 days into the President’s first term. In the past, Dr. Ruiz has invited a constituent to join him in Washington, D.C. as his guest to such speeches. Due to COVID-19 safety protocols, this year’s in-person attendance was limited.

Ruiz invited Dr. Conrado Bárzaga, CEO of the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation, as his virtual guest. Dr. Bárzaga has worked throughout the pandemic to bring vaccines to hard-hit, medically underserved communities in California’s 36th district through President Biden’s Federal Retail Pharmacy Program.

“The Desert Healthcare District and Foundation has emphasized equity in our response to COVID-19 with many collaborative partners in the Coachella Valley during the past year,” said Dr. Bárzaga, CEO of the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation. “We have tested and vaccinated thousands of our most vulnerable residents, including farmworkers, seniors, and more. Congressman Raul Ruiz’s unwavering and invaluable support of these efforts has enabled the Healthcare District and Foundation to address the needs of those disproportionately affected by the pandemic. We greatly appreciate his recognition of our work to improve access to health and wellness for all valley residents.

“President Biden’s remarks during his first address to Congress tonight exemplified this approach when he said, ‘Healthcare should be a right, not a privilege in America.’ We are encouraged by the Biden Administration’s commitment to build equity into policy, from their distribution of more than 200 million vaccine shots so far to the general healthcare needs of traditionally underserved Americans.”