AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) President and CEO David J. Skorton, MD, issued the following statement on the nomination of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the naming of other key members of the Biden administration’s health care team:
“The AAMC congratulates Xavier Becerra on his nomination as HHS secretary as well as the other members of the Biden administration’s health care leadership team announced today, including Vivek Murthy, MD; Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH; Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS; Anthony Fauci, MD; Jeff Zients; and, Natalie Quillian. Mr. Becerra’s experience as a champion of the Affordable Care Act will be invaluable to ensuring that more Americans have access to the vital health care they need. We also believe in this team’s collective knowledge and experience to lead efforts in the response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
We are confident that this team’s familiarity with the unique role of academic medicine – comprised of the nation’s medical schools, teaching hospitals, and health systems – will be an asset when it comes to improving the health of people everywhere through patient care, research, education, and community collaboration. The AAMC and its members will continue to use our clinical, scientific, and medical education expertise in support of the new administration and new congress to strengthen the health and well-being of our country.
The AAMC looks forward to working with Mr. Becerra, the team announced today, and others appointed in the coming weeks to address the health and well-being of all Americans now and in the future.”