WASHINGTON — The Senate on Thursday confirmed California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as President Joe Biden’s health secretary, filling a key position in the administration’s COVID-19 response and its major push to lower drug costs, expand insurance coverage, and eliminate racial disparities in medical care.

The 50-49 vote makes the 63-year-old Becerra the first Latino to head up the Department of Health and Human Services. The $1.4 trillion agency encompasses health insurance programs, drug safety and approvals, advanced medical research, substance abuse treatment, and the welfare of children, including hundreds of Central American migrants arriving daily at the U.S.-Mexico border.

Ahead of the Supreme Court’s October 2020 consideration of Rutledge v. PCMA, Becerra as the attorney general of California led a bipartisan coalition of 46 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief supporting Arkansas’ position that federal law does not prevent states from regulating pharmacy benefit managers.

Becerra, also a former congressman, is President Joe Biden’s first health nominee to receive confirmation hearings.

National Community Pharmacists Association CEO B. Douglas Hoey, issued the following statement congratulating Becerra on his confirmation:

“While serving as the attorney general of California, Xavier Becerra stood up for independent pharmacy and its patients, supporting states’ ability to fight ‘against pharmaceutical middlemen who manipulate drug prices and the choice of prescription drugs that patients can access in the market.’ We are grateful for his support and are eager to work with him and others in the Biden administration on advancing PBM reforms at the federal level, promoting patient access to affordable prescription drugs, and empowering pharmacists to fully engage in the fight against the coronavirus and other patient health concerns.”

Healthcare Distribution Alliance (HDA) president and CEO Chip Davis, also released the following statement:

“We congratulate Xavier Becerra on his confirmation as the next Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). HDA and the nation’s healthcare distributors look forward to working closely with HHS under Secretary Becerra’s leadership to address pressing healthcare issues.

“While our country faces many challenges, none are more urgent than the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. At this pivotal moment, HDA and our distributor members are committed to partnering with Secretary Becerra to implement the Biden administration’s overall COVID-19 pandemic response, especially as the country’s historic vaccination campaign ramps up. Every day, distributors connect 1,400 manufacturers to more than 180,000 providers. Through our members’ logistics expertise, the industry helps deliver COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and PPE while fulfilling the daily healthcare needs of all Americans.

“Distributors create between $33–$53 billion in savings to the U.S. healthcare ecosystem annually. As Secretary Becerra and HHS focus on the COVID-19 response — and move forward to ensure the access and affordability of healthcare for all Americans — the distribution industry stands ready to collaborate with public- and private-sector partners to promote the safe and reliable distribution of lifesaving medicines, healthcare products and medical supplies to communities across the country.”

Pharmaceutical Care Management Association president and CEO JC Scott said: “The Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, representing America’s pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), congratulates the new Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra.

We look forward to working with Secretary Becerra as we all pull together to end the COVID pandemic. PBMs have stayed focused on helping Americans maintain access to their prescription medications and facilitating the drive for vaccinations.

PBMs remain committed to working with HHS, the Biden Administration and Congress to lower prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries and all Americans. The central mission for PBMs is to increase access to affordable drugs and high quality pharmacy care for patients.

We appreciate the Secretary’s recent acknowledgment that the rebate rule was ‘rushed’ by the prior Administration, and we welcome the Biden Administration’s delaying and reviewing the rule. With more than 45 million Medicare beneficiaries facing significantly higher premiums if the rebate rule is allowed to take effect, PBMs urge the Administration and Congress to permanently revoke the entire rule.”

The Consumer Healthcare Productions Association (CHPA) issued the following statement:

“CHPA congratulates Xavier Becerra upon his confirmation by the U.S. Senate as Secretary of the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS). Mr. Becerra has decades of experience working on important healthcare policy issues, both federally and in the state of California, and is taking the helm at an unprecedented time for healthcare in this country.

“The global pandemic has underscored the critical role of consumer healthcare products, including over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, dietary supplements, and consumer medical devices, in our nation’s healthcare system. Personal healthcare products have reduced demands on the healthcare system by allowing individuals and families to safely, conveniently, and cost-effectively manage many of their health issues at home without the need to visit their healthcare provider. Self-care can prevent sickness, while freeing up healthcare practitioners for more serious cases, reducing the risk of viral spread, and saving the healthcare system billions of dollars each year.

“CHPA was pleased to see Mr. Becerra’s submitted response to a Senate HELP Committee member’s question in which he stated his support of Rx-to-OTC switch for its cost-saving potential and his commitment to increasing consumer access to medicines that are currently only available with a prescription. CHPA and its member companies look forward to working with Mr. Becerra on important issues facing consumer healthcare and working on ways in which public policy can enhance self-care for consumers and our healthcare system.”