Biden Selects California AG Xavier Becerra to Be First Latino Health Secretary
Democrat Joe Biden has chosen California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as his administration's health secretary, making Becerra the first Latino in the position if confirmed.
Becerra, 62, was known to be a defender and supporter of the Affordable Care Act, as reported by Wavy.
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reportedly has a massive budget of approximately $1 trillion.
The agency has employed 80,000 workers, as well as a portfolio that includes drugs and vaccines.
HHS handles medical research while also providing health insurance programs to more than 130 million Americans.
Becerra's Track Record
Becerra has led a coalition of Democratic states defending Obamacare from the Trump administration's latest effort to revoke it. The legal case is awaiting a Supreme Court decision next year.
Becerra was also a former senior House Democrat, where he played a role in routing the Obama health law through Congress in 2009 and 2010.
During that time, he would tell reporters that one of his primary motivations for pushing the law was having tens of thousands of uninsured people in his Southern California district.
Wavy reported that overseeing the COVID-19 response will be one of the most complicated tasks Becerra has ever contemplated.
The United States is seen to engage in a mass vaccination effort. Its groundwork has been laid out under the Trump administration.
The COVID-19 vaccine data have shown promising results, with Pfizer's candidate having 95 percent effectivity. But distribution plans had yet to be laid out.
House Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro welcomed and praised the former congressman's selection.
"In this moment of crisis with COVID-19 devastating Latino communities, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus is proud that California's Attorney General Xavier Becerra, a dedicated public servant, will be nominated by President-Elect Biden to lead to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services," Castro said in a statement quoted in a USA Today report.
Castro added that Becerra "has lived the American Dream" and a champion for working families.
Related story: Senators Call for Response Over Possible COVID-19 Outbreak in Juvenile Detention Facilities
Castro further noted that the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is urging Biden to appoint five Latinos in the Cabinet, including prominent positions.
COVID-19 Response
Agencies are all making efforts to address the COVID-19 pandemic. As of now, the primary concern of HHS is the government's COVID-19 pandemic response.
Related story: COVID-19 Response: Trump Defends His Earlier Comments
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversaw vaccines and treatments. The Nation Institutes of Health, on the other hand, is responsible for the scientific and medical research that is needed.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is leading the detection and containment of the further spread of the pandemic.
CDC was given smaller roles after the agency's scientists released an early warning, which contradicts President Donald Trump's assurances about the pandemic. CDC's contradiction rattled the financial markets, causing a plummet in the stocks.
The FDA also received a backlash from Trump, claiming that the agency's scientists were politically motivated. Trump also reportedly wanted the FDA to rubber-stamp unproven COVID-19 treatments.
Subscribe to Latin Post!
Sign up for our free newsletter for the Latest coverage!