Congressman Raul Ruiz Hosts Palm Desert Roundtable on Health Care Amid ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Debate

A roundtable discussion hosted by Congressman Raul Ruiz took place in Palm Desert Wednesday evening, focusing on the impacts of the federal budget reconciliation bill — referred to by President Trump as the “big beautiful bill” — and its potential effects on local healthcare systems.

The meeting brought together leaders from local hospitals and agencies, including the Desert Health Care District and DAP Health. Topics discussed included community healthcare efforts, outpatient care, philanthropy, and protecting the stability of hospitals.

Dave Brinkman, CEO of DAP Health, spoke after the meeting, reflecting on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. He noted that during the pandemic, DAP Health launched an outpatient clinic to meet emergency needs, a model that could be used again if access to healthcare becomes more limited.

“We will see people losing basic access to healthcare,” Brinkman said. “It will take partnerships and creativity, just like COVID demanded of all of us.”

Brinkman also emphasized that DAP Health currently operates 25 clinics in Riverside and San Diego counties, all of which are open to everyone. For those without insurance, services are available on a sliding fee scale.

One key outcome of the roundtable, according to Brinkman, was a call for collaboration. “The congressman asked all of us to communicate with one another when one clinic or emergency department becomes overburdened, so the entire healthcare system partners together to ensure all people are cared for,” he said.

Ruiz indicated that more meetings like this will be held to address the evolving needs of the community.

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