HHS’ Becerra on enrolling in Medicare, annual Covid vaccines, and seniors’ mental health

WASHINGTON — The hottest birthday spot in town: A Hispanic senior center in northwest D.C.

That’s where Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra heralded his 65th birthday Thursday morning, with songs sung by the center’s choir, speeches about Covid-19 vaccines, and a giant replica of a Medicare card to signify his new eligibility for the federal program he oversees. Cake was absent – too many seniors with diabetes.

Speaking in a mix of Spanish and English to the roughly two-dozen seniors assembled, several of whom received Covid-19 boosters and shingles shots at the event, Becerra highlighted the Biden administration’s moves to cap insulin costs, make shingles shots free after the Inflation Reduction Act, and supply coronavirus vaccines to Americans.

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