Knowledge Center
Read the WEDI statement congratulating Xavier Becerra on becoming the 25th HHS Secretary
March 19, 2021
WEDI, as the leading authority on the use of health IT to improve health care information exchange, extends our congratulations to Xavier Becerra on becoming the 25th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Secretary Becerra will now oversee the response to the COVID-19 pandemic while executing other aspects of the Administration’s healthcare agenda, including the important task of tackling health equity issues. At the same time, we urge the Secretary to maintain the focus on reducing the administrative burden and cost plaguing healthcare. Implementing effective solutions that improve data interoperability, automate payer-provider information exchange, and maintain the confidentiality of patient records must all be priorities for the new HHS Secretary. Attaining our shared vision of a cost- effective and secure healthcare system can only be achieved through collective action and strong public-private partnerships.
-Statement attributable to Charles Stellar, WEDI President and CEO
About WEDI
WEDI is the leading authority on the use of health IT to improve health care information exchange in order to enhance the quality of care, improve efficiency, and reduce costs of our nation’s health care system. WEDI was formed in 1991 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and was designated in the 1996 HIPAA legislation as an advisor to HHS. WEDI’s membership includes a broad coalition of organizations, including hospitals, providers, health plans, vendors, government agencies, consumers, not-for-profit organizations, and standards development organizations.