Congressman Raul Ruiz Urges Governor Newsom to Prevent Imminent Closure of Palo Verde Hospital

May 30, 2025 Press Release Blythe, CA – Today, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) issued the following statement after sending a letter to Governor Gavin Newsom urging emergency action to prevent the closure of Palo Verde Hospital in Blythe, California: "Palo Verde Hospital, the only acute-care facility within 100 miles of Blythe, is facing closure today . That means shutting down emergency care, discharging critically ill patients, and leaving over 18,000 residents, and thousands more in surrounding rural areas, without access to lifesaving services. "This is a public health emergency. The closure of this hospital puts lives at risk and would leave a massive health care gap in one of the most underserved regions of our state. Patients will suffer. People will die. " I’m calling on Governor Newsom to step in immediately with $4 million in emergency support to keep this hospital open. We need urgent action to stop this closure, protect lives, and give the hospital time to stabilize. "As an emergency physician, I know what it means when care is out of reach. I will continue fighting to preserve access to rural health care and keep our hospitals open." Read the letter, here . Issues : Health Care