Media Contact:
Joe Hui
Director of Communications
jhui@aplahealth.org
213.201.1342
3.18.2021
March 18, 2021 – APLA Health congratulates Xavier Becerra on his confirmation as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
“APLA Health is proud to congratulate Xavier Becerra on his confirmation as Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), making history as the first Latino person to run this department. We have worked with Secretary Becerra for many years from his time as U. S. Representative for the 34th Congressional District and as California’s Attorney General,” said Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. “Secretary Becerra has made clear his passion and commitment for defending the Affordable Care Act and we look forward to working with him to expand access to healthcare for all Americans.”
Secretary Becerra will be responsible for a broad range of government agencies, including the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) – the agency that administers the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and oversees funding and operations for approximately 1,368 Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) across the country. APLA Health operates three FQHCs – in Baldwin Hills, Long Beach and mid-Wilshire – and this summer will open a fourth facility in South Los Angeles on the Martin Luther King Jr. medical campus at Charles Drew University.
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APLA Health (formerly AIDS Project Los Angeles) restores dignity and trust within underserved communities by providing world-class LGBTQ+ empowering healthcare, HIV specialty care, food, housing, and other essential support services. Since our founding in 1983, APLA Health has remained steadfast in our commitment to ending the HIV epidemic in our lifetime. We operate eight Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) locations in Los Angeles County, serving more than 19,000 people annually, regardless of ability to pay. Our list of comprehensive services includes LGBTQ+ primary care, dental care, behavioral healthcare, HIV specialty care, and Out Here Sexual Health services (PrEP, STD screening & treatment, DoxyPEP, and PEP). For people with HIV, our wraparound support services include housing assistance through the Alliance for Housing & Healing and nutritional support via the Vance North Necessities of Life Program, the largest food pantry in the United States for people with HIV, distributing over 800,000 meals annually. APLA Health’s annual fundraisers include AIDS Walk LA — the world's first and oldest AIDS Walk — and Best in Drag Show. We are leaders in advocating for policy and legislation at the local, state and Federal levels that positively impact the LGBTQ+ and HIV communities. For more information, visit aplahealth.org.
