The Senate Committees on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) and Finance convened hearings last week to consider the nomination of California Attorney General (AG) Xavier Becerra to serve as Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary. During his testimony, AG Becerra discussed his efforts to increase health coverage while serving in Congress and his role in addressing Medicare and Medicaid fraud as AG, and fielded questions from senators about the COVID-19 response, health insurance, drug pricing, graduate medical education, and numerous other public health issues. If confirmed as HHS Secretary, AG Becerra committed to building upon the Affordable Care Act and working with President Biden to improve the COVID-19 response.
Two of President Biden’s top public health nominees—US Surgeon General-designate Vivek Murthy and prospective Assistant Secretary of Health Rachel Levine—passed another hurdle in their confirmation processes after a joint virtual hearing last week before the Senate HELP Committee.
The Biden Administration announced the nomination of Chiquita Brooks-LaSure to lead the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Brooks-LaSure’s nomination requires Senate confirmation.