Logan Reid
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a US federal government executive branch department created to protect the health of the US people and provide essential human services. The HHS motto is Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America. The department's mission is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans by providing effective health and human services and fostering advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services. HHS plays a role in protecting the United States against bioterrorism events and has a wide variety of programs and services that touch the lives of more Americans than any other Federal agency.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mission | To enhance the health and well-being of all Americans |
| Motto | Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America |
| Role | Protecting the health of Americans and providing essential human services |
| Functions | Providing health insurance, medical preparedness for emergencies, and equitable treatment in health care and human service settings |
| Other Functions | Protecting the US against bioterrorism, reducing the impact of tobacco use, and supporting the collection of health data |
| Operating Divisions | Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) |
| Sub-agency | Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) |
| Budget for FY 2020 | $1.293 trillion |
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What You'll Learn
Protecting the health of all Americans
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government. It was created to protect the health of the US people and provide essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America".
HHS plays a role in protecting the United States against bioterrorism events. In 2018, HHS released a new National Biodefense Strategy, which was required by the passage of the 2016 Biodefense Strategy Act. The strategy included five central recommendations:
- Creating a single centralized approach to biodefense
- Implementing an interdisciplinary approach to biodefense that brings together policymakers, scientists, health experts, and academics
- Drawing up a comprehensive strategy to address human, plant, and animal health
- Creating a defense against global and domestic biological threats
- Creating a proactive policy to combat the misuse and abuse of advanced biotechnology
HHS also supports the collection of health data and provides for the equitable treatment of healthcare and human service settings. For example, HHS provides health insurance for Americans, including elderly and disabled Americans, individuals with pre-existing conditions, low-income people, and others through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Health Insurance Exchanges, and Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans.
HHS also has a role in medical preparedness for emergencies, including potential terrorism. With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, HHS has been working to implement the law and improve the health of millions of Americans. The law puts in place comprehensive reforms that protect Americans from insurance company abuses, makes health insurance more affordable, provides better access to care and coverage, and strengthens Medicare.
HHS also has a sub-agency called the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). This office released approximately 90,000 unaccompanied children during 2013–2015 but did not track their whereabouts or properly screen the families accepting these children. To prevent similar episodes, the Homeland Security and Health & Human Services Departments signed a memorandum of understanding in 2016 and agreed to establish joint procedures for dealing with unaccompanied migrant children.
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![An overview of research in biogeochemistry and environmental health report / prepared for the Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Technology of the Committee on Science and Technolo [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81nNKsF6dYL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Providing essential human services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government. It was created to protect the health of the US people and provide essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America".
HHS programs support the collection of health data and provide for equitable treatment in health care and human service settings. The Department's activities include:
- Health insurance for Americans, including elderly and disabled Americans, individuals with pre-existing conditions, low-income people, and others through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Health Insurance Exchanges, Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plans, and other programs.
- Medical preparedness for emergencies, including potential bioterrorism and terrorism.
- Social services for people who need government assistance, foster care, unaccompanied alien children, daycares (headstart included), adoption, senior citizens, and disability programs.
HHS plays a role in protecting the United States against bioterrorism events. In 2018, HHS released a new National Biodefense Strategy to implement a comprehensive biodefense strategy and address biological threats.
HHS is committed to improving the quality of public health and human service practice by conducting applied, translational, and operations research and evaluations. HHS also monitors and evaluates programs to ensure the effective use of information in strategic planning, program or policy decision-making, and program improvement.
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Fostering advances in medicine, public health, and social services
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the US federal government. It was created to protect the health of the US people and provide essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America".
HHS plays a role in protecting the United States against bioterrorism events. In 2018, HHS released a new National Biodefense Strategy, which was required by the passage of the 2016 Biodefense Strategy Act. The strategy adopted five central recommendations, including creating a single centralized approach to biodefense and implementing an interdisciplinary approach that brings together policymakers, scientists, health experts, and academics.
HHS also fosters advances in medicine, public health, and social services. It supports the collection of health data and provides for equitable treatment in healthcare and human service settings. For example, HHS delivers health insurance for Americans, including the elderly, disabled, low-income, and individuals with pre-existing conditions through Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs.
HHS is committed to improving the quality of public health and human service practice by conducting applied, translational, and operations research and evaluations. It also monitors and evaluates programs to ensure the effective use of information in strategic planning, program or policy decision-making, and program improvement.
Additionally, HHS is taking action to inspire the development of products and services that can improve health and healthcare. It aims to increase the speed and predictability of medical product reviews, hold down healthcare costs, and expedite the development of breakthrough therapies to better treat life-threatening diseases.
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Protecting Americans against bioterrorism
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch of the US federal government. Its mission is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans and provide essential human services. HHS plays a role in protecting the United States against bioterrorism events.
In 2018, HHS released a new National Biodefense Strategy, which was required by the passage of the 2016 Biodefense Strategy Act. This strategy was developed in response to a 2015 Blue Ribbon Study Panel on Biodefense report, which found that the 2009 National Strategy for Countering Biological Threats was inadequate in protecting the United States. The 2018 strategy includes five central recommendations:
- Creating a single, centralized approach to biodefense
- Implementing an interdisciplinary approach that brings together policymakers, scientists, health experts, and academics
- Drawing up a comprehensive strategy to address human, plant, and animal health
- Creating a defense against global and domestic biological threats
- Creating a proactive policy to combat the misuse and abuse of advanced biotechnology
To support these efforts, HHS collaborates with various partners and stakeholders, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC's National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID) plays a critical role in preparing for and responding to infectious disease threats, whether naturally occurring or intentionally released. NCEZID scientists are among the world's leading experts in highly pathogenic bacteria and viruses, such as those that cause anthrax, botulism, plague, smallpox, and Ebola. They work in high-containment labs (HCL) to securely handle dangerous pathogens, ensuring the safety of Americans.
Additionally, HHS participates in BioWatch, a program involving a large network of stakeholders from public health, emergency management, law enforcement, laboratories, scientific, and environmental health organizations. BioWatch aims to detect and coordinate responses to bioterrorism attacks, constantly improving its programs to stay ahead of evolving terrorism threats.
Through these initiatives and collaborations, HHS actively works to protect Americans against bioterrorism, ensuring the nation's health and security.
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Ensuring access to health insurance
The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch of the US federal government. The department's mission is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans by providing effective health and human services. HHS plays a crucial role in protecting the health of Americans and providing essential human services, especially to those who are most vulnerable.
HHS is the federal government's principal agency involved with healthcare services and plays a significant role in ensuring access to health insurance for all Americans. The Affordable Care Act (ACA), established through the ACA Health Insurance Marketplace, has increased access to health insurance by providing more affordable options. The ACA also established "shared responsibility" among the government, employers, and individuals to ensure that everyone has access to affordable and good-quality health insurance.
Additionally, HHS administers programs such as Medicaid and Medicare, which provide health insurance coverage to low-income individuals and children, and people over the age of 65 or with qualifying illnesses or disabilities. These programs help ensure that vulnerable populations have access to the healthcare they need.
Furthermore, HHS is committed to improving access to healthcare professionals and enhancing communication between providers and patients. This includes increasing the use of electronic health information and records, making it easier for individuals to access and understand their medical information.
Overall, the United States Department of Health and Human Services plays a vital role in ensuring access to health insurance for all Americans, protecting their health, and enhancing their well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
The mission of the HHS is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans.
The HHS provides health insurance for Americans, including the elderly, disabled, low-income, and individuals with pre-existing conditions. They also offer medical preparedness for emergencies and potential terrorism. Additionally, they support government assistance, foster care, senior citizen programs, and disability programs.
The HHS plays a role in protecting the United States against bioterrorism events and has implemented a National Biodefense Strategy to address biological threats. They also work to prevent foodborne illnesses and limit the impact of outbreaks.
The HHS promotes transparency and collaboration by working with federal and nonfederal partners to find innovative solutions to health and human services challenges. They also monitor and evaluate programs to ensure efficiency and effective use of information in strategic planning and policy decision-making.
