In the historic appointment of the Biden-Harris Administration, Yolanda Griego falls under Xavier Becerra, the 25th Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Becerra is the first Latino to hold this office in the history of the United States.
Throughout the interview, Griego focuses on HHS’s efforts to raise awareness on important issues affecting Coloradans. These issues include maternal health care, mental health destigmatization, and equitable access to health care services in rural areas. In Colorado, 73% of counties are classified as rural, and 13% of the state’s population resides in these areas. Nearly half of the state’s population over age 80 lives in rural regions, making health care accessibility a top priority for providers and lawmakers statewide. The aging population globally and the closure of health clinics in rural areas due to provider shortages and financial constraints contribute to the urgent need for better access to health care.
The conversation also touches on the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed two years ago. Griego discusses the Act’s impact on lowering health care costs for older Americans by directing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to negotiate drug prices and cap out-of-pocket spending on crucial medications like insulin. Economists have praised the IRA for demonstrating how legislative efforts can directly benefit people’s lives.