LOS ANGELES (March 18, 2021) AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today congratulated Xavier Becerra on his confirmation and swearing-in as the newest Secretary of the U.S. Health and Human Services Department (HHS). Following Becerra’s successful tenure as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and most recently as California’s Attorney General, U.S. President Joseph Biden nominated him to serve in his cabinet.
In a letter of congratulations, AHF President Michael Weinstein said, “We are particularly thrilled that in you we have a champion for people living with HIV who depend on HHS to provide leadership in public health in connection with the control of the HIV epidemic especially in areas of prevention and treatment. AHF is the largest provider of primary health care for people at risk of acquiring and living with HIV. AHF is longtime supporter of the Ryan White HIV Program, the U.S. President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (Global Fund) and the 340B Drug Discount Program (340B). In your recent service as California Attorney General, we were particularly proud of your defense of the 340B program against the recent attacks from drug manufacturers. 340B is a vital part of our social safety net that costs taxpayers nothing. Non-profit 340B covered entities depend on 340B savings to keep their doors open to the most vulnerable populations.”
“President Biden picked a real winner for his next Health and Human Services Secretary,” said John Hassell, AHF’s national director of advocacy. “As a member of Congress and California’s attorney general, Secretary Becerra always defended efforts to expand access to health care for the most vulnerable. We’re delighted with his arrival to lead HHS and wish him the best of success.”
