Xavier Becerra, President Biden’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has strong support from the medical community. The top experts who know health care the best praise his willingness to work with medical experts, his trust in science, and his decades of experience advancing health policies to improve the lives of Americans. Becerra is deeply committed to ending the pandemic, addressing racial disparities in health care, and making health care more affordable. The support of these well respected health care groups show Becerra is a highly qualified nominee who knows what’s at stake and who will work to ensure a healthy future for all Americans.
American College of Clinical Pharmacy: “We urge swift confirmation of Attorney General Becerra as HHS Secretary… As communities across the country struggle to respond to the COVID pandemic, a comprehensive strategy to ensure a truly team-based, patient-centered approach to patient care, consistent with evolving integrated delivery models, must be prioritized.” (Full statement)
American College of Radiology: “Becerra is incredibly qualified for this position. During his time in Congress, former Rep. Becerra worked closely with the ACR to improve the American health care system and protect patient access to high quality imaging care.” (Full statement)
The American Hospital Association: “The AHA has worked with Becerra throughout his long career as a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, including as a member of the Ways and Means Committee’s health subcommittee. He has been a champion for health care coverage and affordable health care, which the AHA has long supported. Throughout his time in public service, it is clear that Becerra has consistently made people across America and their health a priority.” (Full statement)
American Medical Association: “The American Medical Association strongly supports the nominations of Xavier Becerra to be the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Vivek Murthy, M.D., to be Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service. While in Congress, then-Rep. Becerra worked closely with the AMA to pass the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and eliminate the Sustainable Growth Rate. As Attorney General of California, he led a coalition of 17 states defending the ACA in the case of Texas v. United States – a case in which the AMA filed an amicus brief championing access to meaningful, affordable health care for all Americans.” (Full statement)
American Physical Therapy Association: “As a congressman, Attorney General Becerra was a staunch advocate for access to health care services. He helped lead a successful effort to eliminate arbitrary caps on seniors’ access to necessary outpatient physical therapy services and championed legislation to ultimately remedy this issue for millions of Medicare beneficiaries.” (Full statement)
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science: “As a Congressman, Attorney General Becerra was a staunch advocate for access to health care services. Clinical laboratory scientists have a critical health care role to play and we must ensure access to clinical laboratory services is unfettered especially during this coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.” (Full statement)
American Society of Radiologic Technologists: “During his time in Congress, former Rep. Becerra was involved and instrumental (serving on the House Ways and Means Committee) on a wide array of health care issues and worked closely with the ASRT and the medical imaging community to improve the American health care system and ensure patient access to high quality imaging care.” (Full statement)
Association for Clinical Research Professionals: “President-Elect Biden made a wise choice in the selection of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to lead the department at this time as the country continues to address the array of challenges the pandemic presents… Attorney General Becerra brings to the agency knowledge of the disparities in access to health services in the U.S. He is well positioned to address these disparities.” (Full statement)
Blue Shield of California: “Blue Shield values Attorney General Becerra’s leadership and commitment to preserving access to affordable, comprehensive health care for millions of Californians. As Attorney General, he repeatedly defended key Affordable Care Act (ACA) protections and fought for lower drug prices.” (Full statement)
Dental Trade Alliance: “During his twelve terms in Congress, Attorney General Becerra spent much of his time working on health care issues impacting U.S. citizens as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.” (Full statement)
Federation of American Hospitals: “Secretary-designate Becerra is, first and foremost, a champion for patients. A seasoned public servant, his lifelong commitment and dedication to public health will help him confront the many challenges that face us, from achieving health equity to reducing the cost of prescription drugs to reinforcing access to care in rural and underserved communities. He is highly qualified, time-tested, and will be ready on day 1.” (Full statement)
Home Care Association of America: “As a Congressman, Xavier Becerra was a staunch advocate for access to health care services… Attorney General Becerra brings his experience as an administrator having run the California Department of Justice since 2017. In this position he addressed an array of health and other matters that prepare him well to handle the significant challenges of running an agency as large and diverse as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.” (Full statement)
International Association of Forensic Nurses: “In addition to his experience on health care matters, Attorney General Becerra brings his experience as an administrator having run the California Department of Justice since 2017. In this position he addressed an array of health and other matters that prepare him well to handle the significant challenges of running an agency as large and diverse as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.” (Full statement)
National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association: “During his tenure in the House of Representatives, Congressman Becerra demonstrated a thorough understanding of federal programs that support the aging and disability communities – most notably the Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid programs – and made significant and meaningful contributions to disability-related policies.” (Full statement)
National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives: “As both Ranking Member and as a member of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee, Attorney General Becerra championed important pieces of legislation affecting the lives of millions of beneficiaries of Social Security Disability, SSI, Medicare and Medicaid. NOSSCR awarded then Congressman Becerra our ‘Award for Excellence in Social Security Disability Advocacy.’ Attorney General Becerra understands beneficiaries’ needs and the interaction between Social Security benefits, Medicare and Medicaid health insurance, and an individual’s overall wellbeing.” (Full statement)
National Alliance of Safety Net Hospitals: “We worked with Mr. Becerra when he was a member of Congress and served on the House Ways and Means Committee and can attest to his understanding of the distinct challenges low-income and underserved communities face and his sincere interest in using public policy to help address those challenges.” (Full statement)
Private Essential Access Community Hospitals: “Mr. Becerra served on the House Ways and Means Committee and showed a commitment to developing and supporting public policies that reflected his understanding of the distinct challenges low-income and underserved communities face and made a difference in the lives of the people he represented. We are confident he would do the same as Secretary of Health and Human Services, including pursuing a much-needed effort to address the underlying health equity challenges that we must address as a nation.” (Full statement)
Providence: “Our health system looks forward to working with Mr. Becerra in his new capacity once confirmed, as we take on critical health issues facing our nation and communities… We have had the privilege of working with Mr. Becerra during his tenure in Congress and as Attorney General in California, another state where Providence has a large footprint. We have experienced, firsthand, Mr. Becerra’s leadership in ensuring access to care for vulnerable communities and addressing racial and ethnic inequities in health care.” (Full statement)
Urgent Care Association: “The HHS Secretary must work collaboratively across many organizations, including associations like UCA, to ensure integrity and effective cooperation. In addition, the Secretary should have an expansive perspective on all aspects of healthcare delivery including scopes of care, an understanding of business, legal and regulatory requirements and barriers. Attorney General Becerra is uniquely qualified and experienced in all of these areas.” (Full statement)