California Medical Association President Peter N. Bretan, Jr., M.D., issued the following statement in response to news that President-Elect Joe Biden named California Attorney General Xavier Becerra as the next secretary of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS):

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to mushroom, the Biden Administration’s handling of the current crisis will be closely watched across the country and around the world. Xavier Becerra is an excellent choice to head HHS. As Attorney General of California, Becerra has aggressively fought to protect the Affordable Care Act, ensuring access to reproductive health services for all Californians, and advocating for underserved communities across the state and across the country. Under his leadership, the California Department of Justice has led the charge to ensure that immigrants being held in detention centers are treated humanely and have access to health care. Attorney General Becerra understands the complexities of the issues facing Americans and their health care, and his passion and expertise will be an asset for the entire nation as we work together to get through the COVID-19 pandemic, protect the Affordable Care Act and expand access to high-quality health care for all Americans.