When Joe Biden tapped Xavier Becerra to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), it raised more than a few eyebrows in Washington. Becerra wasn't a doctor. He wasn't a hospital administrator. He was a lawyer—specifically, the Attorney General of California. Critics basically argued that putting a legal "street fighter" in charge of the nation's health during a once-in-a-century pandemic was a mistake.
But Biden had a specific reason for the pick. The administration didn't just need a medic; it needed a defender for the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which was constantly under fire in the courts. Becerra had spent years leading the legal charge for the ACA from California. Honestly, his tenure as Biden's Secretary of Health was less about stethoscopes and more about the legal and political machinery that keeps American healthcare running.
By the time he left office in January 2025, the landscape of American medicine had shifted significantly. If you’ve noticed your insulin costs are capped or you're seeing more telehealth options, that's part of the Becerra era. It’s a complicated legacy, filled with massive policy wins and some pretty heavy-duty criticism regarding his handling of the migrant crisis at the border.
The Legal Architect of Modern Healthcare
Becerra’s time at the helm of HHS wasn't just about managing the tail end of COVID-19. He was obsessed with "health equity," a term that sounds like corporate jargon but basically means making sure a zip code doesn't determine how long you live.
You’ve probably seen the headlines about Medicare finally being able to negotiate drug prices. That was a huge deal. For decades, the government was legally barred from haggling with Big Pharma over the cost of medicine. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, which Becerra’s HHS helped implement, the "non-interference" clause was finally cracked. This started with ten major drugs, including Eliquis and Jardiance, which millions of seniors rely on for heart health and diabetes.
🔗 Read more: Exercises to Get Big Boobs: What Actually Works and the Anatomy Most People Ignore
Why the "Lawyer" Label Mattered
Because he was a former AG, Becerra approached healthcare like a prosecutor.
- He went after "junk" insurance plans that didn't actually cover anything.
- He pushed for price transparency, trying to force hospitals to list what things actually cost before you get the bill.
- He prioritized the "No Surprises Act," which basically stopped hospitals from sending you a $2,000 bill because the anesthesiologist who walked into your room happened to be out-of-network.
It wasn't all smooth sailing, though. Many doctors and hospital groups felt the implementation of these rules was "botched," leading to massive backlogs in payment disputes.
The Border and the Backlash
If you ask a critic about Becerra’s time as Biden's Secretary of Health, they probably won't talk about drug prices first. They’ll talk about the border. HHS is responsible for the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), which cares for unaccompanied migrant children.
During 2022 and 2023, the number of kids crossing the border spiked. HHS facilities were packed. There were reports of kids being released to sponsors who then forced them into illegal factory work. Republicans in Congress, and even some Democrats, hammered Becerra for this. They argued he was too focused on the "health" side of his job and not enough on the "human services" side, specifically the welfare of these vulnerable children. It was a dark spot on an otherwise policy-heavy resume.
💡 You might also like: Products With Red 40: What Most People Get Wrong
Reproductive Rights in a Post-Roe World
After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Becerra’s HHS became the front line of the administration's response. He didn't have a magic wand to bring back federal abortion rights, but he used the "power of the purse."
He moved to protect the privacy of patients seeking reproductive care through HIPAA updates. He also fought to ensure that pharmacies could continue to dispense medication abortion (Mifepristone). It was a constant game of legal chess. One week he was in a press conference in D.C.; the next, he was in a courtroom or a state capitol trying to shore up access to contraception.
Telehealth and the "New Normal"
One thing Becerra definitely got right was the pivot to digital health. Before the pandemic, getting Medicare to pay for a Zoom call with your doctor was almost impossible. Becerra pushed to keep those COVID-era flexibilities alive long after the "emergency" ended.
In fact, many of these telehealth extensions were pushed through to 2025 and 2026. This fundamentally changed how rural Americans get care. If you live two hours from a specialist, being able to talk to them on your phone isn't just a convenience—it’s a life-saver.
📖 Related: Why Sometimes You Just Need a Hug: The Real Science of Physical Touch
The Transition to 2026
As of early 2026, the department is in a very different place. With the transition to the Trump administration in early 2025, many of the initiatives Becerra championed—like the enhanced ACA subsidies—are facing expiration or significant changes.
Becerra himself has moved back to California. He’s currently running for Governor in the 2026 election. His pitch to voters? The same one he used in D.C.: that he's a fighter who knows how to use the law to protect the "little guy."
Key Takeaways from the Becerra Era
If you're trying to figure out how his tenure affects your life today, look at these specific areas:
- Drug Costs: If you’re on Medicare, the $35 insulin cap and the $2,000 out-of-pocket limit (starting in 2025) are the direct results of policies he oversaw.
- Health Insurance: Over 20 million people signed up for ACA plans during his final year, the highest number ever.
- Mental Health: He helped launch the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, which was a massive undertaking to simplify mental health support.
Next Steps for You:
If you're currently enrolled in an ACA marketplace plan, check your subsidy status for the 2026 plan year. Many of the "enhanced" credits Becerra managed are scheduled to change, which could impact your monthly premiums. You should also look into the new Medicare "Part D" out-of-pocket caps that took full effect this year to ensure you aren't overpaying for your prescriptions at the pharmacy counter.