Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra will address a National Press Club Headliners Luncheon on Thursday, Feb. 8.

Becerra, the first Latino to serve as HHS secretary, has set a broad agenda that includes reducing healthcare costs, expanding access to care, tackling health disparities and strengthening behavioral health. HHS is also tasked with implementation of the health care provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, including the Medicare drug price negotiations.

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra

Becerra will also highlight the need to shift from an illness-care system to a wellness-care system that focuses on preventing disease and injury. The agency is also actively engaged in issues surrounding Medicaid renewals, smoking cessation, reproductive health and rights, LGBTQI+ protections, and marijuana scheduling.

The Headliners event begins with lunch in the Holeman Lounge at 12:30 p.m. Remarks begin at 1 p.m., followed by a question-and-answer session ending at 2 p.m.

As secretary of HHS, Becerra runs the largest federal department with a budget of about $130 billion in discretionary authority and $1.7 trillion in mandatory authority. Its scope includes the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which manages Medicare coverage for more than 60 million seniors and persons with disabilities. CMS also runs the Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Programs, which enroll nearly 90 million Americans with annual program costs of nearly $650 billion.

HHS also manages the Centers for Disease Control, the Food and Drug Administration, the National Institutes of Health, the Indian Health Service, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Administration for Children and Families, among other agencies and administrations.

Before becoming HHS secretary, Becerra served 12 terms in Congress where he was a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the ranking member on the Subcommittees on Health and Social Security.

• Wharton Club Members:
• Lifetime & President's Club Members: You may purchase tickets for yourself and up to 3 guests:
• Other Wharton Club members: May purchase ticket for yourself
• All tickets cost $34/person for you and your guests. They include a full luncheon (inclduing tax and tip) and the program. We hope to have one or mor Wharton Club tables. Tickets must be paid for at time of purchase.

• Click here to reserve your place(s) for the event!