Biden administration abandons plan to ban menthol cigarettes, citing 'feedback'
An anti-smoking advocate says the decision to leave menthol cigarettes on the market "prioritizes politics over lives, especially Black lives."
xavier becerra
Free COVID tests by mail are back, starting Monday
People will be able to go to COVIDTests.gov and get four free tests per household, starting next week. The Biden administration says it is trying to prepare for the fall and winter COVID season.
![HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra says doctors who are balking at the rules of the No Surprises Act aren't looking out for patients. "I don't think when someone is overcharging that it's going to hurt the overcharger to now have to [accept] a fair price," Bece](http://wfdd-live.s3.amazonaws.com/images/story/Doctors-are-mad-about-surprise-billing-rules-Becerra-says-stop-gouging-patients-1058001491-1637611212.jpg)
Doctors are mad about surprise billing rules. Becerra says stop gouging patients
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra says health providers who have exploited a complicated system to charge exorbitant rates will have to bear their share of the cost — or close.
The federal government pledges $100 million to address health care worker shortages
As health care workers face increased levels of pandemic burnout, the Biden administration is looking to help states recruit and retain clinicians in underserved areas.
California AG Says Officers Who Shot Stephon Clark Will Not Face Criminal Charges
Attorney General Xavier Becerra announced the findings of the state's independent criminal investigation into the police shooting death of Clark nearly a year ago.
California Attorney General Vows To Sue If Trump Uses Emergency Powers To Build Wall
Xavier Becerra argued in the Spanish language response to the president's speech that it would be illegal for the administration to declare a national emergency to pay to build a border wall.
California DOJ To Join The Investigation Into Stephon Clark Shooting
The attorney general announced a separate inquiry to review of policies, procedures and practices at the Sacramento Police Department to identify ways to achieve safer outcomes.