POWER TO DECIDE APPLAUDS CONFIRMATION OF XAVIER BECERRA AS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY

Press release

POWER TO DECIDE APPLAUDS CONFIRMATION OF XAVIER BECERRA AS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY

March 18, 2021

(Washington, D.C.) — In a 50-49 vote, today the U.S. Senate voted to confirm California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. As the first Latino Secretary to head HHS, Becerra will direct those responsible for setting national health policy and addressing the coronavirus pandemic.

In response, Power to Decide, CEO, Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, MD, MPH, issued the following statement:

“We applaud the confirmation of Secretary Xavier Becerra as our nation’s first Latino Secretary of Health and Human Services. We are confident Secretary Becerra will continue his commitment to ensuring all people have access to the full range of reproductive health care services and resources to live healthy lives.

“As a fierce defender of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Secretary Becerra understands that for many people the costs of health care pose too great of a burden that they cannot afford. Secretary Becerra has been a staunch supporter of reproductive health care coverage and access for all. He fought against the Trump Administration’s harmful changes to the Title X Family Planning Program and defended the contraceptive coverage requirement of the ACA. Secretary Becerra understands that people’s ability to access quality reproductive health care services is vital to their futures. Such access is fundamental to eradicating disparities in the health care system, which disproportionately impact people of color and those struggling to make ends meet.

“We look forward to working with Secretary Becerra and together helping to ensure all people— regardless of who they are or where they live—have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child.”

Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people—no matter who they are, where they live or what their economic status might be—have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child. Please visit us at www.PowerToDecide.org or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.