FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 7, 2020
Contact: Juan Ramiro Sarmiento
(785) 760-6567 | juan.sarmiento@younginvincibles.org
Young Invincibles Applauds Nomination of Attorney General Xavier Becerra to Lead HHS
(Washington, DC) – President-Elect Biden has announced he will nominate California Attorney General and former Congressman Xavier Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). AG Becerra has been a strong advocate for access to health care and has fought for consumers throughout his career. Earlier this fall, AG Becerra led a coalition of states to defend the Affordable Care Act from elimination before the US Supreme Court. In addition to AG Becerra’s nomination, President-Elect Biden also announced Dr. Vivek Murthy will be returning to his former post as US Surgeon General, Dr. Anthony Fauci will become Chief Medical Advisor to the President on Covid-19 in addition to his current role as Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
In response to AG Becerra’s nomination and President-Elect Biden’s Health Team, Erin Hemlin, Health Policy and Advocacy Director for Young Invincibles issued the following statement:
“Attorney General Xavier Becerra has been fighting in the trenches alongside the health care advocacy community for the past four years, working tirelessly to prevent the damaging policies of the Trump Administration from taking effect. AG Becerra has led the fight against the ACA repeal lawsuit, defended Title X, and has been one of the most vocal advocates for access to health care in the Trump era. We are excited and eager to work with him as Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Once confirmed, Secretary Becerra will fight for young people, prioritizing patients over private entities, and provide the leadership needed to defeat a pandemic that has disproportionately impacted communities of color. Upon confirmation, AG Becerra will make history as the first Latino HHS Secretary in the nation’s history.
In addition to AG Becerra’s nomination, we commend President-Elect Biden’s decision to appoint Dr. Fauci as Chief Medical Advisor to the President on Covid-19. As the only steady voice throughout the pandemic, it is critical that Dr. Fauci be given the opportunity to advise the President and provide clear guidelines to the public so that we can finally move forward with one cohesive message. As the Biden Transition Team’s top Covid Advisor, we also commend the choice of Dr. Vivek Murthy to serve as US Surgeon General.
While this is celebrated news, the nation is now facing the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is imperative that the Senate not play politics while thousands of people are dying, and confirm AG Becerra on day one.”
Additionally, Dr. Rochelle Walansky has been nominated to head the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith will serve as the COVID-19 Equity Task Force Chair, Jeff Zients will serve as coordinator of the COVID-19 Response Team and Counselor to the President, and Natalie Quillian will serve as Deputy National Coordinator of the COVID-19 Response Team.
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