Spanberger administration’s new health leaders outline priorities to Virginia House committee

Marvin Figueroa, Virginia’s secretary of health and human resources, and Cameron Webb, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Health, introduced themselves to the House committee during a meeting that included a brief agenda clarification and an announcement that the health subcommittee would hear bills after the session.

Figueroa said his priorities for the Spanberger administration are straightforward: “First, we will protect the core functions of our health and human services system,” ensure stability and affordability amid federal and budgetary shifts, and make programs work “effectively, efficiently, and with accountability to families and taxpayers.” He framed the work as practical and implementation-focused: “Good policy only matters if it's implemented well and systems only matter if they deliver for the people who depend on them in a sustainable way, both programmatically and fiscally.”

Figueroa described his background—arriving in the United States from Honduras at age four, attending Vanderbilt University and Harvard, and serving in prior state and federal roles—and said those experiences shaped his emphasis on bipartisan, results-oriented governance. He also introduced members of his senior team: Tony Blue (deputy secretary), Lauren Walker (deputy secretary), Rishanda Senior (chief of staff), and Lucy Schwartz (senior adviser).

Cameron Webb told the committee he grew up in Spotsylvania and trained in medicine and law, with professional stops in public health research, the White House COVID-19 response, and academic work at the University of Virginia. Webb described his approach as focused on health justice and removing barriers to care, and said he has worked on Medicaid enrollment and on efforts to expand behavioral health services. He noted that the Virginia Department of Health has been working to improve operations “in response to the JLARC report” and other public criticisms and said he is “excited to step into the role at a time where so much energy has been spent on strengthening the operations so that we can run full speed in meeting the needs of the people.”

Webb also described federal work during the pandemic, saying he was “a part of a small 4 person team who conceived that idea” of covidtests.gov and helped expand access to tests, vaccines and treatments during the crisis. Both officials told the committee they intend to work closely with the legislature and stakeholders on upcoming legislation and budget issues affecting public health and human services.

Chair Delegate Rodney Willett closed by reminding the panel that the health subcommittee would convene immediately after the meeting to begin hearings on bills. The session then adjourned.