The nation's top health official has been a background player for much of his tenure. He says that's about to change.

Stung by accusations that he's been absent during a once-in-a-century public health crisis, Xavier Becerra -- the country's top health official -- tells CNN he's looking to step into a bigger public role as part of a reset a year into dealing with the dominant issue in his portfolio.

President Joe Biden has been disturbed himself with the recent string of stories, and on Friday called his Health and Human Services secretary directly from the Oval Office to say he was pleased with the work being done and that he had Becerra's back, according to two people told about the call. This followed White House chief of staff Ron Klain reaching out to the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to reiterate support. On Sunday, the White House announced Becerra will join first lady Jill Biden Wednesday on a trip to Minnesota for a listening session on childcare provisions within the administration's Covid relief package.

In an exclusive interview, Becerra said he thinks the federal government's guidance on the Covid-19 pandemic has been way too confusing, and fixing that problem begins by acknowledging it.