Statement on the Confirmation of Xavier Becerra for Secretary of Health and Human Services

Statement from Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, on the Confirmation of Xavier Becerra for Secretary of Health and Human Services:

Attorney General Becerra brings to HHS a deep understanding of the health inequities in our country and a commitment to protecting the health care of all Americans—exactly the expertise that is urgently needed in this moment. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the longstanding, systemic barriers to health care that many people experience in the United States. We are in an unprecedented crisis where over 500,000 Americans have died, disproportionately impacting Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities, people with disabilities, and people living in poverty.

Health care is a human right. Xavier Becerra has been deeply committed throughout his career to tackling structural inequities in access to health care. He has a robust record of working to ensure that all Americans are able to access the health care they need, free from discrimination.  

During his time in Congress, then-Rep. Becerra was closely involved in drafting and passing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and as California Attorney General, he has continued to staunchly defend the ACA. He has worked to protect access to high-quality health care, including reproductive health care and LGBTQ+ inclusive health care, and has been a strong advocate for the Title X program, which provides essential reproductive health services for millions of people working to make ends meet.

We extend our congratulations to Secretary Becerra on his historic confirmation, are heartened by the recognition by a bipartisan majority of the Senate of his record and robust experience, and look forward to working closely with him going forward to ensure all people can access essential health care.

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MEDIA CONTACT: center.press@reprorights.org