Tag Archives: Xavier Becerra

by Mitch Perry, Florida Phoenix  U.S. Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra said in Tampa Friday that he intends for his agency to move “as quickly as we can” to comply with President Joe Biden’s directive to review the decades-old policy of listing marijuana as a Schedule 1 …

Shefali Luthra Originally published by The 19th Pharmacists cannot deny people prescribed medication — including hormonal birth control or emergency contraception — because those people are pregnant or might become pregnant, per new guidance from the Biden administration. The guidance, issued by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office …

Candice Norwood Originally published by The 19th The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Monday clarified its guidance by explicitly stating that abortion can be considered a stabilizing treatment for pregnant people experiencing medical emergencies. The news comes three days after President Joe Biden issued an executive order, …

On Thursday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra announced the award of more than $385 million to help families and individuals with their energy costs. The funds will go to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP provides households with energy assistance, including help …

The Biden administration is taking action to lessen the burden for Americans dealing with medical debt, Vice President Kamala Harris said Monday. “Some debt collection companies harass consumers with dozens of phone calls a week,” Harris said during a briefing in the South Court Auditorium at the Eisenhower Executive Office …

White House officials on Wednesday unveiled an updated National COVID Preparedness Plan, which includes increased access to treatment, enhanced surveillance, keeping schools open, and vaccinating the world. White House COVID Response Coordinator Jeff Zients emphasized that this was a “new moment” in the fight against the virus, with a new …

Sara Luterman Originally published by The 19th Secretary Xavier Becerra, America’s top health official, met with leaders in aging, labor and disability to discuss the future of home care funding on Thursday. This meeting was the first of its kind since negotiations over President Joe Biden’s $1.8 trillion Build Back …

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding nearly $800 million in American Rescue Plan (ARP) funding to support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault and their children. The funds will cover COVD-19 testing, vaccines, mobile health units, and other support for domestic violence services programs, as …

Residents eligible for expanded Medicaid in Missouri can now sign up for coverage more than a month after a federal judge demanded the state implement it. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Monday that 275,000 residents in the state are eligible for coverage under the expansion. Missouri becomes …

On Monday, the Biden administration reversed a Trump-era policy that blocked federal funding to family planning clinics that give referrals to patients for abortions. Under former President Donald Trump, clinics were banned from referring patients for abortions. The Department of Health and Human Services said the new regulation would restore …

More than 2.8 million people gained health insurance during the special enrollment period for Affordable Care Act (ACA) coverage this year, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. The 2021 special enrollment period on HealthCare.gov and state-based marketplaces ran from February 15 through August 15. Regular enrollment begins on …

On Thursday, the White House announced that it is investing $1.6 billion in funding from the American Rescue Plan passed in March toward boosting COVID-19 testing and mitigation efforts in schools, prisons, homeless, and domestic violence shelters. “As COVID-19 cases rise among unvaccinated people and where the more transmissible Delta virus …

The Biden administration says the government will protect gay and transgender people against sex discrimination in health care. This is a  reversal of a Trump-era policy that sought to narrow the scope of legal rights in sensitive situations involving medical care. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Monday …

The Affordable Care Act special enrollment period will be extended for three months to August 15 the Biden Administration announced Tuesday. “As a result of the American Rescue Plan, additional savings will be available for consumers through HealthCare.gov starting April 1,” a statement from the U.S. Department of Health and …

The hearings for President Joe Biden‘s Cabinet nominations continue today. We will hear testimony from his picks to lead all of his cabinet positions over the next several weeks. We will profile the nominees in advance of their hearings so our readers will have some background information as the proceedings …