Fong Secures $1.32 Million for Ridgecrest Regional Hospital in Appropriations Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Vince Fong (CA-20) announced that $1.32 million in Community Project Funding for facility improvements and equipment at Ridgecrest Regional Hospital has been included in the FY2027 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This funding was secured by Rep. Fong.
Ridgecrest Regional Hospital serves as the primary medical facility for thousands of residents in the Indian Wells Valley, a rural, geographically isolated community in the Mojave Desert. Supporting this hospital is not just critical to local families, but to our national security, as Ridgecrest is home to Naval Air Weapons Station (NAWS) China Lake, one of the nation's most strategically important military installations.
"Ridgecrest Regional Hospital is the lifeline for thousands of residents in the Indian Wells Valley — and for the brave men and women serving at China Lake," said Rep. Fong. "By ensuring they have up-to-date resources and medical technology, we help to protect patients and military readiness. This funding ensures the community and personnel at China Lake have access to the advanced diagnostic tools they deserve, and the medical support they need minutes away, not hours away."
"We are grateful to Congressman Fong for his steadfast support of Ridgecrest Regional Hospital and the community we serve,” said James Suver, CEO/President, Ridgecrest Regional Hospital. "This funding is a critical investment to the health and safety of our entire community, ensuring residents, including the servicemembers and families at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, continue to have access to advanced diagnostic care close to home. For a rural, geographically isolated community like ours, reliable, high-quality medical imaging isn't a luxury — it's a lifeline.”
This funding will support the replacement of Ridgecrest Regional Hospital's aging MRI system with a modern wide-bore MRI scanner, including equipment purchase, installation, and necessary facility modifications. The existing MRI unit, installed in 2010, has reached the end of its service life and is no longer manufacturer-supported, creating risk to continued service availability. This investment will ensure uninterrupted access to advanced diagnostic imaging for residents of Ridgecrest and the surrounding Indian Wells Valley.
Today, this bill was approved by a House Appropriations Subcommittee and is scheduled to come before the full House Appropriations Committee next week.