Becerra’s Record Defending the ACA Will Help Him Clean Up Trump’s Health Care, COVID Mess
Washington, DC – In response to President-elect Joe Biden nominating California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Care for America Now Executive Director Margarida Jorge released the following statement:
“After years of a Health and Human Services department run by a former Big Pharma executive who actively tried to weaken the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid, protected drug corporations who price-gouge patients, worked to strip away people’s civil liberties and helped Trump mislead the public on COVID, we’re looking forward to the kind of leadership California Attorney General Xavier Becerra will bring to the nation’s highest health care office. As lead defendant of the ACA against President Trump and his administration’s attacks on the law, Becerra understands the importance of undoing Trump’s harmful policies, protecting critical health programs and protections and improving our country’s battered health care system.
“By early next year, more than 2,000 American people may be dying daily from COVID-19, and with the likelihood of a vaccine, it is more crucial than ever that we have an HHS Secretary who is well equipped to distribute drugs and vaccines effectively and properly contain the virus. Not to mention, a leader who, on the heels of the worst public health crisis in modern history, can work to protect and expand the ACA, get Americans the access to care they need and bolster Medicaid and Medicare. Becerra has shown time and again his commitment to the health of Californians, and in his Supreme Court defense, the entire country.
“Becerra is a dedicated leader when it comes to women’s health with years of commitment to fighting for affordable care for women and families. Congress must move to immediately confirm him, so our country can finally begin the work to recover from this deadly pandemic and secure health care for the millions of American people who need it.”
