Virginia’s health and human resources secretary outlines priorities on Medicaid, behavioral health

Marvin Figueroa, Virginia’s newly appointed secretary of health and human resources, told the Senate Education and Health Committee that his policy approach is informed by personal experience and years working on Medicaid and behavioral health. "I am a proud Virginian, but I wasn't born here. I was born... in Honduras," he said, recounting a childhood shaped by social programs that later informed his policy work.

Figueroa described three priorities for his tenure: a careful review of core health and human services functions to scale effective programs and reform ineffective ones; ensuring stability and affordability in the face of federal and budgetary shifts; and making sure programs deliver for families with accountability to taxpayers.

He referenced prior work on Medicaid expansion and efforts to build a behavioral-health continuum, and said the administration will "be clear-eyed about those impacts, mitigate harm where possible, and leverage opportunities where available." Figueroa emphasized cross-agency collaboration and public–private partnerships as key tools to improve access and delivery.

Committee members had no immediate questions recorded during his remarks; the chair thanked him and the committee moved to subsequent items.

Figueroa’s remarks framed HHR priorities the new administration may advance during the 2026 session, including potential budget and programmatic changes requiring future committee hearings.