Arizona had a special visit today from Xavier Becerra, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, as part of the Biden administration’s Investing in Rural America initiative. Accompanying Secretary Becerra was a team from the USDA and the Arizona Director of the USDA.
During the visit, Secretary Becerra highlighted the Biden administration’s achievements in lowering drug costs for specific medications, including a cap on medication costs for cancer patients at $2,000 per month under Medicare. However, he noted that these measures have not yet been extended to all Americans.
County Supervisor Donna Michaels met with Secretary Becerra to discuss investments in healthcare, housing, food, regenerative farming, drug treatment programs, and grants for nonprofits in rural Arizona.
Damien Browning delivered an impressive presentation on the accomplishments of Steps to Recovery, the nonprofit he co-founded. Supervisor Michaels also discussed the regenerative practices program she developed in collaboration with the University of Arizona and various stakeholders, including Steps to Recovery.
Secretary Becerra envisions a “food as medicine” approach, and Dr. Michaels is actively working to implement this vision in the Verde Valley.
For more information, visit Invest.gov/rural.
