Healthcare Stakeholders Applaud Becerra Confirmation

Becerra's confirmation to lead the nation's health department was warmly received by healthcare organizations still dealing with the lingering challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Healthcare leaders applauded the confirmation of Xavier Becerra as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS.)

Becerra was confirmed by a 50-49 vote weeks after the Senate Finance Committee deadlocked on Becerra's nomination to lead HHS.

Becerra's confirmation to lead the nation's health department was warmly received by healthcare organizations still dealing with the lingering challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic that has killed more than 500,000 Americans.

Related: Xavier Becerra Confirmed as HHS Secretary

Bruce Siegel, MD, MPH, CEO of America's Essential Hospitals, released a statement Thursday afternoon congratulating Becerra on his confirmation.

"Becerra brings to the Department of Health and Human Services a strong record of accomplishments as a champion for health care coverage and equity. We welcome his experience and commitment to health care access as we continue the fight against COVID-19," Siegel said. "America’s Essential Hospitals looks forward to working with the new secretary and his team to enhance support for essential hospitals and underrepresented people and to protect programs vital to our health care safety net, such as Medicaid and the 340B Drug Pricing Program."

Susan Bailey, MD, president of the American Medical Association, released a statement welcoming Becerra as HHS Secretary. 

"His leadership will be tested early as he arrives amid a pandemic and challenges to the Affordable Care Act," Bailey said. "The AMA believes he is the right person for the job and looks forward to working with him to ensure that all Americans have access to quality health care during this perilous time."

Margaret Murray, CEO of the Association for Community Affiliated Plans (ACAP), said in a statement that Becerra is "unequivocally qualified" to lead HHS, adding that he is a "longtime supporter of equitable access to comprehensive, affordable health coverage and care."

"ACAP and our Safety Net Health Plan members stand ready to help Secretary Becerra address the multitude of health care issues currently facing the American public—from the COVID-19 pandemic, to all-too-frequent churn within the Medicaid program, unacceptable racial disparities in health care access and quality, and the loosening of ACA rules that had protected consumers from harmful junk insurance plans," Murray said. 

Related: Healthcare Groups Applaud Biden on Winning Presidency

Similarly, the Alliance of Community Health Plans issued a statement in support of Becerra as well as other Biden nominees: Andrea Palm for Deputy HHS Secretary, Chiquita Brooks-LaSure for CMS Administrator, and Liz Fowler for CMMI Director.

“ACHP commends the Senate for confirming Xavier Becerra as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services," the statement read. "Secretary Becerra has been a tireless advocate for the Affordable Care Act and ensuring access to high-quality coverage and care for all Americans. His leadership will help secure a stable and effective individual market, address inequities in our health care system and turn the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic."

Sophia L. Thomas, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, PPCNP-BC, FNAP, FAANP, president of American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) praised Becerra's confirmation as well.

"NPs stand ready to work with Secretary Becerra, HHS and the Biden Administration to address the critical health care issues facing our nation, including expanding access to high-quality health care to diverse populations, encouraging patients to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available to them, as well as treating the influx of patients who are currently battling this devastating disease," Thomas said in a statement.

Related: 5 Takeaways From HHS Nominee Becerra's First Senate Confirmation Hearing

The Campaign for Sustainable Rx Pricing (CSRxP) issued a statement indicating that the organization looked forward to working with Becerra to "advance bipartisan, market-based solutions to lower prescription drug prices."

"Secretary Becerra has a demonstrated track record of standing up for consumers and we commend him for pledging to work across party lines to lower drug prices and hold Big Pharma accountable during his confirmation hearings," Lauren Aronson, executive director of CSRxP, said in a statement. "It will be particularly critical for Secretary Becerra to encourage greater prescription drug pricing transparency, foster generic and biosimilar competition, cut through drug companies’ blame game by pulling back the misguided Rebate Rule and crack down on Big Pharma’s egregious price-gouging and anti-competitive practices."

Action for Health, a 501(c)(4) non-profit advocacy organization "dedicated to ensuring that the No Surprises Act, which eliminates surprise medical bills, is implemented fairly" released a statement in support of Becerra.

"We extend our many congratulations to Secretary Becerra upon taking the helm at HHS during this most challenging time," the statement read. "From quickly staffing up the department and the many pandemic issues at hand, to the largest-ever expansion of the Affordable Care Act and carrying out the $1.9 trillion Covid relief bill, much work is ahead. However, the agency's implementation of the No Surprises Act will -- and should -- quickly become a top priority."

Allyson Y. Schwartz, former congresswoman and CEO of the Better Medicare Alliance, praising her former colleague's confirmation to lead HHS.

“On behalf of our 158 Ally organizations and more than 500,000 grassroots beneficiaries, Better Medicare Alliance looks forward to working with Secretary Becerra to protect the 26 million seniors and Americans with disabilities who depend on Medicare Advantage. We are deeply grateful for his stated commitment to that end,” Schwartz said in a statement.

Related: Outgoing Better Medicare Alliance CEO on Where Federal Health Policy Will Go