Charleston Leader

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, engaged in a series of questions with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra regarding the agency's budget requests for Fiscal Year 2025.

During the questioning, Senator Capito highlighted the importance of rural healthcare and efforts to address the addiction crisis, particularly focusing on the challenges faced by rural communities. She expressed concern about the lower budget request for rural health compared to the previous year and emphasized the need for investments to support healthcare facilities in rural America.

In response, Secretary Becerra acknowledged the difficulties faced by rural healthcare systems and committed to working on specific investments in rural health, particularly in the areas of substance use disorders and hospital sustainability. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that healthcare facilities in rural areas not only survive but thrive.

Senator Capito also raised concerns about the increasing numbers of opioid overdose deaths and the need for prevention efforts, especially targeting younger individuals. Secretary Becerra agreed on the importance of prevention and highlighted the role of states in administering healthcare programs, with the federal government providing resources and support to enhance their capacities.

Additionally, Senator Capito inquired about the effectiveness of the 988 suicide prevention hotline call centers and the allocation of funds for the program. Secretary Becerra explained that the federal funding primarily supports state call centers,