Xavier Becerra
Next generation of COVID-19 vaccines and therapies gets a $1.4 billion boost
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Tuesday announced a $1.4 billion investment in developing the so-called next generation of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell made the announcement, saying the funding is part of the $5 billion program they hope will […]
U.S. lawmakers push for patient privacy in reproductive medical care
Nearly 50 Democratic and independent members of Congress are appealing to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to tighten regulations protecting the privacy of health information. In a July 18 letter to Secretary Xavier Becerra, they asked that the department enact more precautions to ensure that law officers obtain a warrant before seeking […]
Cameron accused of trying to ‘scare patients out of obtaining abortions’
Calling it “a disgusting overreach of government authority,” Planned Parenthood officials in Kentucky are denouncing an effort by Republican attorneys general to block a federal expansion of medical privacy protections for patients who seek reproductive care. The rule change proposed by the U.S. Health and Human Services Department would enhance protections for patients who seek […]
Kentucky Medicaid gets OK to provide mobile behavioral health care
Kentucky will join five other states in providing mobile Medicaid crisis intervention teams later this year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced Thursday. CMS approved Kentucky’s proposals for these services alongside California. Mobile teams allow behavioral health professionals to de-escalate people in need in the field as well as perform on-the-ground assessments and […]
U.S. House Republicans spar with HHS secretary over transgender youth, child labor
WASHINGTON — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Tuesday defended access to health care for transgender people, as well as his agency’s actions in connection with unaccompanied migrant children. Republicans at a U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing grilled Becerra about gender-affirming care for transgender minors, including puberty […]