Contributed

Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) is leading efforts to bring home additional funding for local hospitals and providers battling surges in hospitalizations due to the Delta and Omicron variants. In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Ruiz urged the agency to quickly disburse the remainder of the Provider Relief Funds, allocated by Congress in COVID relief legislation, to hospitals and providers continuing to face pandemic-related hardships, such as staffing shortages. Ultimately, Ruiz’s efforts will help local hospitals and physician offices keep their doors open, preserving vital health care access for rural communities in the region.

The Hemet/San Jacinto Student of the Month program held its most recent recognition event at the Maze Stone restaurant at Soboba Springs Golf Course, Feb. 17. With one carryover from January, eight local high school seniors were recognized and honored for their character, love of learning and commitment to academics in addition to their involvement in school and community activities and their ability to overcome difficult life challenges. And they do this all in a setting that honors God, America, family, community and free enterprise. Students are nominated by teachers or other school personnel for making a difference in their homes, schools and communities.

Congressman Raul Ruiz, M.D. (CA-36) pressed the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to immediately resolve delays in service that have resulted in an enormous backlog of unprocessed tax returns. Heeding the concerns of Southern California residents who have faced unprecedented processing delays, Ruiz called on IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig to improve responsiveness to ensure residents can file their taxes in a timely and painless manner.

Like many of you, I grew up in church. Back then, church was quiet. Shhhh…Once you entered through the sanctuary doors, there seemed to be a mood of solemness. As a kid, I thought if I sneezed too loudly it was a terrible thing. But things change - Hallelujah - and today, many churches now see themselves as places of Godly celebration and fellowship. I’m convinced that Jesus had great spirited meetings and that laughter, excitement, and passion were always in play.

The Department of Veterans Affairs intends to propose adding certain rare respiratory cancers to the list of presumed service-connected disabilities in relation to military environmental exposure to particulate matter.