Rep. Payne, Jr. Promotes Vaccinations in Newark with Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. met with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra in Newark today to discuss how to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates in New Jersey and nationwide.  Secretary Becerra was in Newark to promote vaccinations and tour a vaccine site at University Hospital, the location of New Jersey’s first COVID-19 vaccination.  After the tour, Rep. Payne, Jr. spoke with Secretary Becerra privately about how to get more New Jersey residents vaccinated to protect residents and families from the disease.

“We need to get more people vaccinated to save lives from COVID-19 and this new Delta variant,” said Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr.  “That is why I wanted to speak with Secretary Becerra about how to develop more trust in the vaccine nationwide, but especially in our African American communities.  There are many African Americans who distrust the vaccines based on the history of racism in the medical community.  I got the vaccine as soon as it was available to help more district residents trust it to protect them and save lives during this pandemic.  I thank Secretary Becerra for coming to Newark to help me promote vaccinations in my district and across New Jersey.”

Rep. Payne, Jr. joined Secretary Becerra for the tour and then spoke with him about vaccinations and possible cuts in Medicare and Medicaid Service repayment to medical professionals in small clinics.  Many of these small clinics are in low-income, minority communities and help residents get quality medical care.  If the cuts are allowed to proceed, they could push more medical professionals to join hospitals and close dozens of clinics nationwide.