A special thank you to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra for joining us at the conference and engaging with me and other health center leaders. During the meeting, Secretary Becerra reflected on the critical role that health centers have played during and beyond the pandemic. He highlighted the administration’s commitment to lowering prescription drug costs and increasing healthcare access, recognizing how CHCs are critical to advancing health equity across the nation. 

In our conversation, I emphasized the need for additional workforce funding and training opportunities and critical investments to help health centers transition to value-based care. Funding for data analytics and tools, workforce education and training, and greater flexibility during this transition is essential to improving care delivery and access. Along with my colleagues from other health centers, we also discussed other key issues like workforce challenges, same-day visit reimbursement, and integrating responsible AI in healthcare. Additionally, I want to thank Jeffrey Reynoso, Regional Director at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, for his engagement and ongoing partnership in these efforts. 

The CPCA Conference was a fantastic platform to explore critical topics, from workforce development and advocacy to technological innovation in care delivery. I also had the pleasure of speaking at a rally in favor of Prop 35, which could bring billions in funding to expand primary care, specialty services, community health resources, and more to the communities we serve.