Xavier Becerra Receives Congratulations and Pleas For Action As He Moves Into HHS Post
Congratulations poured in for Xavier Becerra after he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the new Secretary of Health and Human Services on Thursday, March 18—but also pleas for action. National healthcare associations praised President Joe Biden’s selection of Becerra, who had been serving as Attorney General of California, until the confirmation—which had been delayed by former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial and other issues—until last Thursday. And nearly all had specific requests of Secretary Becerra, many of them related to the shift into value-based healthcare payment and delivery.
The Los Angeles- and Washington, D.C.-based APG (America’s Physician Groups) said this: “APG congratulates Xavier Becerra on his confirmation as the next HHS Secretary. Mr. Becerra takes the reins of HHS at a critical time as our nation pushes past this horrific COVID-19 pandemic and millions continue to suffer from disparities in care. APG is committed to working with HHS [the Department of Health and Human Services] to protect and improve access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for all Americans, both now and post-pandemic. We look forward to working with Mr. Becerra and HHS on ways to accelerate the movement toward value-based care models and away from our unaffordable and dysfunctional fee-for-service healthcare system to reach this goal.”
The Washington, D.C.-based American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living released the following statement on Thursday: “AHCA/NCAL extends our congratulations to Attorney General Xavier Becerra for his nomination to serve as HHS Secretary under President-elect Biden’s Administration. We have valued our conversations with him when he served in Congress and now as attorney general of California, and we look forward to an open dialogue in his new role, once confirmed. Given the tremendous tragedy and challenges our profession have faced this year, we hope to work with Attorney General Becerra on ensuring that long term care is regarded as a pivotal part of our health care system and prioritized for ongoing resources in order to battle COVID-19,” the AHCA/NCAL said. “When we get through this, we hope to have a national discussion with HHS and other stakeholders about how we can learn from this experience and properly support long term care facilities as we prepare for a rapidly growing elderly population.”
The Arlington, Va.-based ATA (American Telemedicine Association, after heartily congratulating Xavier Becerra for his confirmation, went right to it in its March 18 statement, stating that “The ATA is urging the Biden Administration and the 117th Congress to support the following policies:
> Permanently remove the geographic and originating site barriers in statute. The originating site should be wherever the patient is located, including but not limited to a patient’s home.
> Remove provisions in law that mandate, for telehealth delivery of care or reimbursement, a prior in-person relationship between practitioner and patient.
> Allow state licensing boards and practitioners to determine the appropriate standards of care for patients, including removing the in-person requirement for telemental health services in the recently signed Consolidated Appropriations Act.
> Enhance HHS authority to determine appropriate telehealth services and providers.
> Ensure Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) can furnish telehealth and receive equitable reimbursement.
> Make permanent HHS’s temporary waiver authority for future emergencies.
> Support existing fraud, waste, and abuse resources within HHS, including the Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program.”
Also on March 18, the National Association of Medicaid Directors (NAMD) released this statement: “On behalf of the nation’s Medicaid Directors, NAMD congratulates Xavier Becerra on his confirmation as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We look forward to working with Secretary Becerra as he leads the Department through the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Medicaid programs are playing a critical role in supporting the ongoing provision of health care services to vulnerable populations during the public health emergency, including primary care, behavioral health, and long-term services and supports in both institutional and community-based settings. States have moved quickly and effectively to reconfigure their programs and leverage innovative care delivery models through telehealth to maintain the viability of the Medicaid delivery system, as well as ensure that ongoing testing and mass vaccination efforts reach the Medicaid population. As the nation begins to emerge from the pandemic, we also look forward to partnering with HHS to improve equity in the Medicaid program, promote value-based reforms, and address social determinants of health. Medicaid Directors are pleased to offer the Association as a resource going forward. Our members look forward to partnering with HHS, including with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and other HHS agencies, to support the drive for continued improvement and sustainability in the Medicaid program.”
Meanwhile, the Washington, D.C.-based AHIP (America’s Health Insurance Plans) made this statement: ““Every American deserves access to affordable, high-quality care, and we share this commitment with Congress and the Administration. AHIP congratulates Xavier Becerra on his historic confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. During his years of service—both as a Member of Congress and as California’s Attorney General—Secretary Becerra exhibited an unceasing dedication to protecting the health and wellbeing of all Americans. Secretary Becerra will provide the strong leadership our nation needs as we work together to overcome the COVID-19 crisis. We look forward to working with him to protect and build upon the Affordable Care Act to expand health coverage for all Americans, address the underlying cost of health care, and eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in medical care.”
And the Chicago- and Washington, D.C.-based American Medical Association (AMA) said on March 18 that “The American Medical Association welcomes Senate confirmation of Xavier Becerra to be the next secretary of Health and Human Services. His leadership will be tested early as he arrives amid a pandemic and challenges to the Affordable Care Act. 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.”
