[2] It has two specialty units, including pediatric and intensive care.

The hospital was established in the mid-1940s out of a need for medical care for the workforce of the growing China Lake Naval Weapons Station.It is the only regional healthcare system in the area and provides a variety of services to the region.

[5] In August 2022 Ridgecrest Regional Hospital announces that it would be closing down its cancer center due to a shortage of oncologists[6] In August 2023, The California Department of Health Care Access and Information awarded Ridgecrest Regional Hospital $5.5 million in interest-free loans as a part of a Distressed Hospital Loan Program.

[7] In November 2023, the hospital announced the end of their labor delivery program due to a shortage of obstetric providers.

The situation is concerning for nearby residents who don't have alternatives for medical care.