Health and Human Services secretary Xavier Becerra met with reporters on Friday following months of criticism over a perceived lack of transparency.
In a March 18 news conference that lasted just over an hour, Becerra highlighted some of HHS’s accomplishments. He also took questions about COVID-19, the opioid epidemic, gender-affirming care for transgender youth, and more, from invited reporters.
Along with the secretary, reporters also were able to ask questions of HHS Deputy Secretary Andrea Palm as well as Norris Cochran, HHS Acting Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources.
The meeting came as Becerra marked his first full year in office, and journalists welcomed the event. In November, AHCJ took Becerra to task for failing to hold open-ended press conferences that would allow reporters to question him on a variety of issues in the public’s right to know.
AHCJ also has been working to improve the relationship between the Biden administration and health-specific outlets. The Friday press briefing was preceded on Thursday by a “pen-and-pad” briefing for a small number of reporters from the health trade press. That event, which lasted about 40 minutes, allowed each reporter to ask several questions and also covered a wide range of subjects.
HHS opening up to reporters is a welcome change, and we hope Becerra will make these briefings a regular part of his schedule. And we’d like to hear comments from members who attended either event, both positive and negative. Your input can help the Right to Know committee with its mission. Please email Sabriya or Joyce with your thoughts; we look forward to hearing from you!
