Today, The Senate confirmed Xavier Becerra as the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Biden-Harris Administration.
Board Chair of Physicians for Reproductive Health and ob/gyn in New Jersey, Dr. Kristyn Brandi, responded with the following statement:
“The confirmation of Secretary Xavier Becerra as the first Latino to lead the Department of Health and Human Services at this crucial time for public health is encouraging. Becerra has been a key ally in the fight to protect health care, for more than 20 million Americans through his leadership in defending the Affordable Care Act. Secretary Becerra has continuously worked to help mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a physician-advocate I am hopeful that he will continue to center equity in efforts to improve access to health care, including reproductive health care.
“Becerra has a strong record defending reproductive health and rights in the face of politically-motivated attacks from the federal government. I look forward to working alongside Secretary Becerra as we work to undo the harm of the previous administration and tackle issues ranging from ensuring access to medication abortion, to protecting Title X funding for organizations supporting reproductive rights, to protecting insurance coverage for contraception regardless of one’s employer. Becerra is a champion for the rights of all people to make their own health care decisions and we look forward to working with the Department of Health and Human Services on a range of reproductive health, rights, and justice priorities.
Becerra is a champion for the rights of all people to make their own health care decisions
“As a Latinx woman I am proud to see the first Latino confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. My own work as a physician is influenced by my experiences and identity, and I am hopeful that Secretary Becerra will continue to center equity in efforts to improve access to health care – particularly for communities of color and people with low-incomes.”