, Columnist
HHS Nominee’s Lack of Public Health Experience Is a Concern
Republicans can point out that Xavier Becerra is known more for abortion-rights advocacy than for leadership in health policy.
Why Health and Human Services?
Photographer: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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Even some progressives were perplexed when President Joe Biden nominated California Attorney General Xavier Becerra to be secretary of Health and Human Services.
“I would have liked to see the HHS secretary have public health experience,” Representative Pramila Jayapal, a Washington state Democrat, told Politico. The New York Times reported that it was “a surprise” and summarized his health experience as being “at the forefront of legal efforts on health care” and being “vocal in the Democratic party about fighting for women’s health.”