Filling in for Joan Esposito, William Muck is joined by Xavier Becerra, Democratic candidate for California governor and former secretary of the Health and Human Services.

Becerra discussed the resignations of senior leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) due to political interference in public health policymaking.

"It's unfortunate that we see CDC on this nosedive to oblivion, where the agency that's supposed to be our red alert, our first warning, or the canary in the coal mine that tells us when we're about to be hit by some really bad, deadly disease is now being shrunk in ways that will endanger the lives and health of so many Americans. This is all a man-made disaster. This is the result of Trump budget cuts. And what we're seeing is that our ability to be prepared for things like a COVID pandemic, our ability to face forward and be foresighted in how we deal with something like avian flu, these are all being undermined by the actions of this administration and this HHS secretary," Becerra said, referring to his successor at Health & Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.  

Becerra emphasized the importance of scientific expertise in public health and warned of long-term consequences from the loss of experienced professionals. He also highlighted the negative impact of recent Medicaid cuts, which could affect millions of Americans, particularly vulnerable populations like newborns and nursing home residents. 

In his bid to be California's next governor, Becerra emphasized his track record of fighting for public health and affordable health care.

"I'm in this race because I believe it's time to once again reward work hard work," Becerra told WCPT. "If you work hard, you should know you're going to be able to have the health insurance your family needs. If you work hard, you're going to have that roof over your head. You're not going to become homeless. If you work hard, you will be able to send your kids to at least a public university. And if you work hard, you'll be able to store up enough that you'll be able to retire in dignity. That's my fight as governor, and what I tell folks is, we do need fighters, but it's not just someone who says, for the first time I'm gonna fight. You need someone who knows how to fight and win."

Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew” weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views).

And find the "Chew's Views" Full Episodes podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, YouTube, Amazon and TuneIn.

Filling in for Joan Esposito, William Muck is joined by Xavier Becerra,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.xavierbecerra2026.com/">Democratic candidate for California governor</a> and former secretary of the Health and Human Services.
Becerra discussed the resignations of senior leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) due to political interference in public health policymaking.
"It's unfortunate that we see CDC on this nosedive to oblivion,&nbsp;where the agency that's supposed to be our red alert, our first warning, or the canary in the coal mine that tells us when we're about to be hit by some really bad, deadly disease is now being shrunk in ways that will endanger the lives and health of so many Americans. This is all a man-made disaster. This is the result of Trump budget cuts. And what we're seeing is that our ability to be prepared for things like a COVID pandemic, our ability to face forward and be foresighted in how we deal with something like avian flu, these are all being undermined by the actions of this administration and this HHS secretary," Becerra said, referring to his successor at Health &amp; Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Becerra emphasized the importance of scientific expertise in public health and warned of long-term consequences from the loss of experienced professionals. He also highlighted the negative impact of recent Medicaid cuts, which could affect millions of Americans, particularly vulnerable populations like newborns and nursing home residents.&nbsp;
In his bid to be California's next governor, Becerra emphasized his track record of fighting for public health and affordable health care.
"I'm in this race because I believe it's time to once again reward work hard work," Becerra told WCPT. "If you work hard, you should know you're going to be able to have the health insurance your family needs. If you work hard, you're going to have that roof over your head. You're not going to become homeless. If you work hard, you will be able to send your kids to at least a public university. And if you work hard, you'll be able to store up enough that you'll be able to retire in dignity. That's my fight as governor, and what I tell folks is, we do need fighters, but it's not just someone who says, for the first time I'm gonna fight. You need someone who knows how to fight and win."
Catch "Chew's Views with Richard Chew&rdquo; weekdays from 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. Central on WCPT (<a href="http://heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views">heartlandsignal.com/programs/chews-views</a>).
And find the "Chew's Views" Full Episodes podcast on<a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zkWlrghsVpgulp44Wsb53"> Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chews-views-full-episodes/id1772726742">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1300-chews-views-full-episodes-224677247/">iHeartRadio</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLquOHBYhhrLPJ4U4sG9hqPEyq8TZ6yK5B">YouTube</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/60f89bc3-9570-4cea-86e2-30049d1112f4/chew's-views-full-episodes">Amazon</a> and <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Chews-Views-(Full-Episodes)-p4553840/?topicId=433949466">TuneIn</a>.

Here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT Chicago), a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago that focuses on national, state and city politics.  

A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

Here are full episodes of "Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT Chicago</a>), a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago that focuses on national, state and city politics.  
A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

Joan Esposito (Full Episodes)

"Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on WCPT Chicago) is a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    

Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). 

"Joan Esposito: Live, Local and Progressive" (weekdays from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Central on <a href="https://heartlandsignal.com/wcpt820/">WCPT Chicago</a>) is a topical and interactive talk show from Chicago that focuses on national, state and city politics. A veteran Chicago broadcaster, Joan talks to politicians and professors, activists and authors, candidates and correspondents, as well as listeners who call in to share their views on the news of the day. Her goal is to Edify, Entertain and Elect — Democrats, of course.    
Joan Esposito has hosted WCPT's afternoon show since 2019. Prior to that she spent 20 years as a Chicago television anchor and reporter for WGN Channel 9, ABC7 and NBC5, and had a stint as managing partner at media trainer J2SC.  Joan is a long-time member of the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA).

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